A Study of Learning Difficulties in Arithmetic (Fraction) of Class V Students and Remedial Measures

Abstract

Mathematics education is a dynamic discipline. The main goal of mathematics education in schools is the mathematisation of the child's thinking. The narrow aim of school mathematics is to develop useful capabilities, particularly those relating to numeracy numbers, number operations, measurements, decimals and percentages. The higher aim is to develop the child's resources to think and reason mathematically, to pursue assumptions to their logical conclusion and to handle abstraction. It includes a way of doing things, and the ability and the attitude to formulate and solve problems. 1.1.1 Vision for school mathematics According to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF 2005), School mathematics takes place in a situation where: +:+ Children learn to enjoy mathematics rather than fear it. +:+ Children learn important mathematics: mathematics is more than formulas and mechanical procedures . • :. Mathematics is a part of children's life experience which they talk about. +:+ Children pose and solve meaningful problem. +:+ Children use abstractions to perceive relationships and structure. +:+ Children understand the basic structure of mathematics. +:+ Teacher expects to engage every child in class. On the other hand, mathematics education in our schools is beset with problems. We identify the following core areas of concern: 2 RIE Library Bhopal +!+ Fear and failure: A sense of fear and failure regarding mathematics among a majority of children. +!+ Disappointing curriculum: A curriculum that disappoints both a talented minority as well as the non-participating majority at the same time. +!+ Crude assessment: Crude methods of assessment that encourage perception of mathematics as mechanical computation. +!. Inadequate teacher preparation: Lack of teacher preparation and support in the teaching of mathematics.