The Use of Vocabulary in an Eighth Grade Mathematics Classroom: Improving Usage of Mathematics Vocabulary in Oral and Written Communication

In this action research study of my mathematics classroom of eighth grade students, I investigated the use of mathematics vocabulary by focusing on improving the usage of this vocabulary in both oral and written communication. I discovered oral communication tended to show more improvements compared to written communication done by the same group of students. As a result of this research, I plan to continue to focus my teaching on the use of mathematics vocabulary in an effort to help my students gain a greater understanding of the daily use of that vocabulary.

The Use of the Library Catalogue by Undergraduate Students in Niger Delta University Library

This study investigated the use of library catalogue in Niger Delta University library. The study employed descriptive research method and questionnaire as a research instrument to generate the data. The analysis revealed that 168 (51 percent) of the users were not aware of library catalogue, and 160 (54 percent) had never used the catalogue. The study also showed that 209 (71.7 percent) encountered difficulties in using the catalogue because of lack of proper education and, as a result, 202 (68.7 percent) of the users resolved to used browsing/reading through the shelves method to locate books. The analysis also revealed that 202 (68.7 percent) of users indicated that proper user education was a means to easy catalogue use in the library. Recommendations were made to improve effective catalogue use, including user education, regular orientation programme, and preparation of guidelines on use of the library catalogue.