A formative evaluation of the specialized applied mathematics workbook being used by the engineering technology students at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology

The formative evaluation of a workbook entitled Specialized Applied Mathematics (1977 edition) is the primary aim of this study. Evaluation instruments were constructed and administered to respondents from different sectors of the academic community who would be in a position to contribute to the improvement of the workbook. The types of respondents involved were: experts in the field of applied mathematics, instructors of the technician mathematics course using the workbook as a text, instructors of the major courses-those subjects requiring technical mathematics as a background, sophomore students currently using the text and juniors who took the course the past year.Based on their responses, the following results are hereby summarized: 1. The book does not sufficiently cover the scope of the course, Specialized Applied Mathematics. 2. The information, insofar as the authority of sources are concerned, is valid and reliable. 3. The workbook is adaptable to the individual differences of the students considering the sufficiency of topics in the different levels of difficulty. 4. The illustrative examples are orderly and logically presented and are well chosen. However, the experts and the students expressed the need for additional examples. 5. There are problems/exercises which need rewording. Some are redundant and therefore not necessary. 6. There are words/phrases that need to be replaced or rephrased for the students to understand the text better.7. The workbook is considered presentable despite its being in mimeographed form only.From the above findings, the following conclusions were drawn. 1. There is a need to revise certain aspects of the workbook especially on: 1.1 The explanation of some concepts and principles 1.2 The language and vocabulary of the workbook 1.3 The style of writing in such a way as to make the text generally enjoyable to read 1.4 The answers found at the back of the workbook and 1.5 The additional relevant topics recommended by the instructors. 2. The number and qual