Arsaythamby Veloo

Teachers’ Autonomy and Accountability in Assessing Students’ Physical Education in School-Based Assessment

School-Based Assessment (SBA) became the educational policy for Malaysian secondary schools since 2011. SBA recognizes the need for school teachers to be given the autonomy and accountability in assessing their students’ performance. Hence, they are given the freedom to design quality assessment activities aligned with their instructional strategies and students’ learning outcomes. This chapter discusses the case of a physical activity assessment in Physical Education (PE) that focuses on the implementation of the National Test Standard for Students’ Physical Activities. The test comprises the National Physical Fitness Standard (NPFS) and Body-Mass Index (BMI). The NPFS assessment program assesses physical fitness through four activities, namely up-and-down the bench, pumping, star jump, and sit-ups. On the other hand, BMI is determined by dividing the body weight by the height. A total of 30 PE teachers, consisting of 16 non-PE optionists and 14 PE optionists from 15 secondary schools were interviewed. The chapter discusses the impact of empowerment on the orchestration and design of assessment activities and responsive practices in determining students’ performance. The chapter also highlights the challenges faced by PE teachers in implementing SBA and in assessing students’ ability and how they overcame these challenges. The empowerment had inspired the PE teachers to reconsider their role and the status of PE education in secondary schools. PE teachers began to accept the fact that they are now becoming significant in SBA, and they need to function effectively as assessors within SBA.

The role of difficulty and gender in numbers, algebra, geometry and mathematics achievement

This study aims to identify the role of difficulty and gender in numbers, algebra, geometry and mathematics achievement among secondary schools students in Jordan. The respondent of the study were 337 students from eight public secondary school in Alkoura district by using stratified random sampling. The study comprised of 179 (53%) males and 158 (47%) females students. The mathematics test comprises of 30 items which has eight items for numbers, 14 items for algebra and eight items for geometry. Based on difficulties among male and female students, the findings showed that item 4 (fractions – 0.34) was most difficult for male students and item 6 (square roots – 0.39) for females in numbers. For the algebra, item 11 (inequality – 0.23) was most difficult for male students and item 6 (algebraic expressions – 0.35) for female students. In geometry, item 3 (reflection – 0.34) was most difficult for male students and item 8 (volume – 0.33) for female students. Based on gender differences, female students show...

The role of students’ activities in Indonesian realistic mathematics education in primary schools of Aceh

This study aims to explore the implementation of the Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education (PMRI) in Aceh primary schools, Indonesia. This study investigates the students’ mathematics activities involved in the implementation of PMRI and for this purpose; students’ mathematics activities in the classroom were observed. Students were observed three times within five weeks during mathematics class, based on PMRI. A total of 25 year five students from a public school participated in this study. Observation check list was used in this study based on ten items. The observation conducted was based on two different time periods which were 105 minutes for group A and 70 minutes for group B. The observation was conducted every 5 minutes. The results show that PMRI is being practised in Aceh, but not completely. This study shows that mathematics activities for those who were taught using PMRI are higher than for those using the traditional approach. Overall, the findings showed that the number of student activ...

The effect of using Indonesian realistic mathematics education (PMRI) approach on the mathematics achievement amongst primary school students

This study aims to determine the effects of the Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education (PMRI) in Aceh primary schools, Indonesia. Although a plethora of research evidence highlights significant outcomes of the incorporation PMRI in mathematics, its use in the teaching and learning process is limited. Total of 50 standard five students from public primary school participated in this study; 25 students in the experimental group and 25 in the control group. The teaching approaches varied between the groups. While the experimental group experienced the PMRI approach, the control group encountered the conventional teaching approach of chalk and talk. Data was collected at two points namely the pre-test and post-test that lasted for five weeks. The results showed significant differences in mathematics achievement among primary students. In addition, PMRI also creates an active learning environment in solving exercises, and discussions among students and teachers. This study provides evidence that learning m...

Mathematics achievement based on gender among eight grade school students in Jordan

The purpose of this study is to identify the differences in gender base on numbers, algebra, geometry and mathematics achievement among Jordanian 8th grade school students. The respondent of this study were 337 students from eight public secondary schools in Alkoura district and selected by using stratified random sampling. The study comprised of 179 (53%) males and 158 (47%) females students. The mathematics test comprises of 30 items which has eight items for numbers, 14 items for algebra and eight items for geometry. Finding from independent sample t-test shows that female student score higher than male students in numbers, algebra, mathematics achievement and spatial visualization. There is no significant difference in geometry base for gender. This study also indicates that numbers, algebra and mathematics achievement favorable to female and bias to male students. The main recommendations from this study are for teachers and other educational professionals to focus on the numbers and algebra for male...