Dissertation (MA Education)
This study sought to examine the influence of visual media on improving pre-primary pupils’ arithmetic skills within Dodoma Municipality. The study was guided by four objectives and adopted a mixed research approach, using a descriptive survey design. Data were collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, observation and documentary reviews. The sample included 27 informants comprising of municipal education officer, head teachers, pre-primary teacher and parents. Specifically, the study intended to; examine the frequency use of visual media in teaching and learning of arithmetic skills by pre-primary school teachers; assess the effectiveness of the visual media on the enhancement of teaching and learning of basic arithmetic skills among pre-primary school pupils; examine teachers’ perceptions on the use of visual media on the improvement of teaching and learning of basic arithmetic skills among pre-primary school pupils and examine factors affecting the use of visual media by teachers on the enhancement of teaching and learning of arithmetic among pre-primary school pupils. The findings show that, visual media are frequently used in teaching arithmetic skills at pre-primary schools and teachers have positive perceptions over the use of visual media in teaching pre-primary pupils. The study further revealed that, inadequate visual media and large class size affect the use of visual media in improving arithmetic skills. In addition, the surveyed pre-primary schools experienced insufficient fund for buying teaching and learning materials. Inadequate classrooms hinder the effective teaching of arithmetic skills among pre-primary pupils. The study concludes that, if used properly, the visual media are effective instructional tools for teaching arithmetic skills at pre-primary school level.