Approaches to Effective Teaching of Mathematics in Secondary Schools

Any time the teacher wants to teach a concept, his troubles are usually  What to teach,  Who is to be taught and  How is the concept going to be delivered?These questions are usually taken very serious in teaching process, because the basic aim of teaching is proper understanding of the concept to be taught.Therefore, this lecture has to clarify what these questions are all about.What is to be taught, the content of the concept the teacher is to teach?The teacher must be a mastery of his subject.This attribute is very important, because the students will have confidence in you.Remember that you c3nnot give what you do not know.The pre-requisite of the content to be taught must be known by the teacher.Who is to be taught?the students; the average age of the students should be ascertain before teaching This is very important in order to know the appropriate words to use during lesson delivery.Find out the level of preparedness of the students using the pre-requisite.If there is still need to reinforce it, please do.Do not assume that they have the required background.This is where many teachers fail in their duties!How is the concept going to be taught?This is basically the methods/strategies of teaching.Firstly, list the behavioural objectives to be achieved.These are what the students should know by the end of the lesson.Secondly, dismantle the context into small phases that can be easily achievable at a time base on the stated behavioural objectives.Teach the students, using appropriate strategies and instructional materials to make learning easily assessable.The Place of Mathematics in Nigerian School and Society.It is a common knowledge that any school, be it at the primary or secondary or tertiary level, that fails to provide Mathematics Education is viewed as being unserious.This is because of the key position Mathematics occupies in the Nigerian Educational System and its application in developmental process.In this vein, Akuezuilo and Chinweoke (2009), stated that Mathematics is the bedrock of all Science Subjects and is therefore, needed for scientific and technological advancement of any nation.Maduabum and Odili (2006), described Mathematics as the Science of quantity and space which occupies a key position in the Nigerian Educational System reflecting accurately the vital role the subject plays in contemporary society.According to Osafehinti (1990) and Aminu (1995), any society which aspires to be scientifically and technologically developed must have adequate level of Mathematics Education since Mathematics has ingredients for the effective articulation of the abstract elements of science that gives impetus to the development of technologies.Rogers (1986), explained that Mathematics has become the central intellectual discipline of the technological society and that as the society develops so will its quantitative aspects assume greater influence and dominance over its qualitative features.Eguavon (2002), described mathematics a.s the pivot of all civilization and technological development.Supporting.Eguavon, Imoko and Agwagah (2006), opined that Mathematics is a key factor in the development of any nation.Mathematical concepts and symbols are used in expressing the physical laws of nature (Tsue and Anyor, 2006).Therefore, Mathematical concepts and methods provide scientists with insight, into and about natural phenomenon.Ikeobi (1994) and Njoku (1997), opined that chemical Kinetics, chemical equilibrium, stoichiometry, mole concept, solubility, electrolysis, redox reactions and ionic equations are areas in chemistry that