Effects of using worked examples in organizing mathematics learning activities on mathematics problem solving ability and learning retention of ninth grade students
Abstract:
The purposes of this research were: 1) to study mathematics problem solving ability of ninth grade students being organized mathematics learning activities by using worked examples, 2) to compare mathematics problem solving ability of ninth grade students between groups being taught by using worked examples and by using conventional approach, 3) to compare mathematics learning retention of ninth grade students between groups being taught by using worked examples and by using conventional approach. The populations of this research were ninth grade students of Rajinibon School in Bangkok. The subjects were 108 ninth grade students in first semester, academic year 2009 in Rajinibon School. They were divided into two groups, one experimental group with 54 students and one controlled group with 54 students. Students in experimental group were organized mathematics learning activities by using worked examples and those in control group were organized mathematics learning activities by using conventional approach. The data collection instruments were the mathematics problems solving test and the mathematics learning achievement test. The experimental instruments constructed by the researcher were lesson plans using worked examples and lesson plans using conventional approach. The data were analyzed by means of arithmetic, mean of percentage, standard deviation, t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results of the study revealed that: 1) Mathematics problem solving abilities of ninth grade students being organized mathematics learning activities by using worked examples were higher than minimum criteria of 50 percent. 2) Mathematics problem solving abilities of ninth grade students being organized mathematics learning activities by using worked examples were not different from those of students being organized mathematics learning activities by using conventional approach at .05 level of significance. 3) Mathematics learning retention of ninth grade students being organized mathematics learning activities by using worked examples were not higher than those of students being organized mathematics learning activities by using conventional approach at .05 level of significance.