Mathematics is one of the most important subjects in school education because it develops logical thinking, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills among students. However, many students experience difficulty in performing calculations and understanding mathematical concepts through traditional teaching methods. Innovative teaching strategies are therefore required to make mathematics learning more effective and engaging. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a Vedic Mathematics learning package in improving the mathematical achievement of 8th standard students. A child-centric action research approach was adopted using a quasi-experimental design with experimental and control groups. The sample consisted of 52 students of 8th standard from Shree Ved International School, Gandhinagar, divided equally into an experimental group (26 students) and a control group (26 students). The experimental group was taught using a learning package based on Vedic Mathematics techniques for 30 days, while the control group received instruction through traditional teaching methods. An achievement test was administered as a post-test to measure computational ability, numerical ability, and problem-solving ability. The collected data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test. The results revealed that students in the experimental group demonstrated improved computational speed and significantly higher scores in numerical ability and problem-solving ability compared to the control group. The findings indicate that the Vedic Mathematics learning package is an effective instructional strategy for improving students’ mathematical achievement. The study suggests that incorporating Vedic Mathematics techniques into classroom teaching can enhance students’ interest and performance in mathematics.
Introduction
This study investigates the effectiveness of a Vedic Mathematics-based learning package in improving the mathematical achievement of 8th standard students compared to traditional teaching methods.
Mathematics is recognized as a crucial subject for developing logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. However, many students struggle with it due to traditional teaching approaches that emphasize memorization and lengthy procedures, leading to anxiety and reduced interest. To address this issue, the study explores Vedic Mathematics, an ancient Indian system that offers simplified and fast techniques for mental calculations using sutras and sub-sutras.
The research developed a child-centric Vedic Mathematics learning package and tested its effectiveness through a quasi-experimental design involving 52 students from Shree Ved International School, Gandhinagar. Students were divided into an experimental group (taught using Vedic Mathematics) and a control group (taught traditionally), with both groups equalized based on prior performance. After a 30-day instructional period, both groups were assessed using a 60-item mathematics achievement test.
Statistical analysis (mean, standard deviation, and t-test) showed that the experimental group generally performed better than the control group. Significant improvements were found in overall mathematics achievement, computational speed, and numerical ability. However, no significant difference was observed in computational ability scores, though the experimental group still performed slightly better.
Overall, the study concludes that the Vedic Mathematics learning package is effective in enhancing students’ mathematical performance, especially in speed, accuracy, and numerical skills. It also highlights the importance of innovative, activity-based teaching methods to make mathematics more engaging and reduce student difficulties.
Conclusion
The present study examined the effectiveness of a Vedic Mathematics learning package for 8th standard students. The results showed that students taught through the learning package demonstrated improved computational speed and significantly higher numerical and problem-solving abilities. The findings suggest that incorporating Vedic Mathematics techniques into classroom teaching can enhance students’ mathematical learning. Therefore, Vedic Mathematics can serve as an effective instructional strategy for improving mathematical achievement at the school level.
References
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