Influence of Myimaths Application on Learners’ Proficiency on Arithmetic Concepts in Preschools Implementing the British National Curriculum in Dagoretti North Sub – County Nairobi Kenya

Abstract

Teaching mathematics to preschoolers is therefore a matter of great importance as it forms the foundation of educational concepts in all areas of learning. Several scholars have laid different methods of teaching mathematics and the study will focus on a new concept of teaching the subject. The study purposes to investigate the influence of Myimaths application on preschoolers’ proficiency on arithmetic concepts in preschools implementing the British National Curriculum in Dagoretti North Sub – County in Nairobi. The study was guided by four research objectives aimed to establish the influence of a manipulative number grid and number line and to investigate the influence of teacher and parental involvement in preschooler’s proficiency on arithmetic operations. The adoption of online applications for teaching preschoolers basic mathematical concepts has been growing steadily, mainly because these applications integrate a variety of teaching learning activities thereby making the processes less strenuous and with great results. Online applications such as Myimaths have been recognized to enhance learner development in arithmetic skills at ECD level, little has been documented about the same in Kenya and thus necessitated the study. The Literature reviewed was discussed in light of the variables influenced by Myimaths application with regard to achievements in arithmetic concepts. The study was based on constructivist theory which emphasizes on construction and comprehension of epistemology. The study applied mixed method research design, which included descriptive survey design methods as data was generated using structured questionnaires, pre-tests and post-tests. The study targeted 2 preschools that implement the BNC curriculum, hence the study applied purposive sampling technique. Questionnaires and achievement tests were the tools that solicited information from 30 individual preschoolers, 7 preschool teachers and 11 parents. Data analysis and processing involved quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques where editing, coding and thematic categorization of data was. The data was presented in form of tables, pie charts and figures. Results of the study indicated that Myimaths application was particularly influential in enhancing preschoolers’ arithmetic skills and execution of operations. The number line and number grid influenced the concepts of subtraction and multiplication more than addition and division. The study indicated in a pre-test using a number line, the average score in RNS preschoolers was 92 percent while SAA had an average score of 82 percent. In the post-test RNS scored 96 percent while SAA scored 93 percent in arithmetic operations. The findings reveal that use of online math application boosts arithmetic proficiency in preschoolers. Hence, the findings lead to the conclusion that all preschoolers in both BNC and 2-3-3-3 curriculum be introduced to online platforms that introduce, teach and reinforce the arithmetic operations and skills. The study recommends that policy makers, Ministry of Education, Curriculum developers, KICD and all concerned priorities developing or adopting an online application that would be implemented national wide with the new Competence Based Curriculum.