Effect of Vedic mathematics on basic numeracy skills and interest of students in mathematics

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of Vedic Mathematics on Basic Numeracy Skills and Interest of students in Mathematics. The researcher used Experimental method Pre-test/post-test two groups (Control and Experiment) design. Two Government schools of Chandigarh with grade VII students taken through random sampling. In School-1, the sample consisted of 140 students equally divided into experiment group and control group, each comprising subgroups categorized by below-average, average, and above-average levels of prior numeracy skills. In similar manner sample in school-2 comprised of 128 students constituted of subgroups based on the level of general academic achievement. Each group (Control and Experiment) was taught for the period of 40 sessions by the researcher. Results showed that teaching through Vedic Mathematics technique was found to be better than conventional teaching method for significantly improving the Basic Numeracy Skills and Interest of students in Mathematic irrespective of their previous numeracy levels and their general academic achievement levels. newlineThe intervention resulted in a measurable enhancement of numeracy levels among the subgroups, with participants progressing from below average to average, and from average to above average categories. Additionally, the students who learned Vedic Mathematics techniques and enhanced their Basic Numeracy Skills were able to retain the Vedic techniques and sustained the proficiency in Basic numeracy over the time. The results highlight the newlineadaptability of Vedic Mathematics techniques even in heterogeneous classroom settings. newline newline