DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICAL MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING COURSE ON FRACTIONS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, THONGMIXAY DISTRICT, SAYABOULY PROVINCE, LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Abstract

The purpose of this research were: to study the problems and needs to develop a training course; to develop the training course on the development of mathematical materials on fractions; to study the effectiveness of the training course; and to study the satisfaction of teachers in mathematical materials development training in the primary schools of Thongmixay District, Sayabouly Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic. The sample consisted of 37 mathematics teachers in the primary schools of Thongmixay District, Sayabouly Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic. The instruments used in this research included: questionnaires on condition of problems and needs for the training course on the development of mathematical materials on fractions for teachers in primary schools of Thongmixay District, Sayabouly Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic; the training course documents; and satisfaction questionnaire. Statistics used for data analysis included percentage, mean and standard deviation by using computer program package. The results of this research were as follows. The opinions of mathematics teachers in the primary schools of Thongmixay District, Sayabouly Province, Lao PDR showed that the students had the lowest scores in the fractions and needed to have a workshop in producing mathematical materials with the length of 3 days. The training course was, thus, developed for suitable course structure according to the TABA Model development through 14 learning activities with the duration of 18 hours. The result of the study on the effectiveness of the training course showed that the participants in the training passed all the criteria specified in the course including: knowledge at  93.92%, skills/process at 87.17%, the desirable characteristics at 87.50% and the duration of training at 100%. It was also found that trainees were satisfied with the training course at a high level.