The effects of problem-based learning method on 9th grade students' achievement in geometry


Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Matematik ve Fen Bilimleri Eğitimi Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2009

Öğrenci: MÜKERREM APAÇIK

Danışman: SAFURE BULUT

Özet:

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) on 9th grade students’ geometry achievement. The study was conducted in a rural town of Ankara with 44 ninth-grade high school students. The randomized pretest-posttest control group design was used. The experimental group was instructed with hybrid PBL and the control group was instructed with traditional teaching methods. The treatment was given for 4 hours every week for a total of six weeks. Geometry Achievement Test (GAT) was administrated as pre-test, post test and retention test to both groups to measure students’ academic achievement in geometry, was developed by the researcher. This test included 18 items which were related to polygons and circular region. In order to analyze the obtained data, Mann-Witney U, Independent T-test and one-way repeated measures Analysis of Variance were used. Analysis of post test results indicated that there was no statistically significant mean rank difference between students who were instructed by traditional teaching method and those who were instructed by PBL. There was also no significant mean difference between retention of GAT scores of the two groups. In addition, a statistically significant change in GAT scores of students who were instructed by PBL across three time periods (pre-treatment, post treatment and retention) was found. There were statistically significant mean differences between their prior and post GAT scores; and between their prior and retention GAT scores of the PBL method group. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant mean difference between post and retention GAT scores. The present study suggests that PBL can contribute to students’ retention of geometry achievement