Abstract:
Economic status of students, gender and family size have been found to affect students’
achievement in mathematics. However, there seems to be limited research on the effects
of knowledge and affective skills acquired from other subjects on students’ achievement in
mathematics. The research objectives of the study were to determine whether the cognitive
and practical skills acquired in woodwork affects students’ achievement in mathematics.
The study also sought to find out whether the learning of similar topics in woodwork affected
students’ achievement in mathematics. The research methodology applied was ex-post facto
design. The study was carried out in four secondary schools which offered woodwork in
Machakos County, Kenya and involved a student sample of 158. Data was collected by use
of three mathematics tests and a questionnaire for woodwork students. The results revealed
that cognitive and practical skills acquired in woodwork have a positive effect on students’
achievement in mathematics. The learning of similar topics in woodwork and mathematics
has a positive effect on students’ achievement in mathematics.
