The effect of treating the topic of 5th grade percentages with an activity-based teaching approach on academic success and permanence

An examination was carried out to explore the impact of instructing fifth-grade junior high students on the subject of 'Percentages' using a hands-on teaching method, on both their academic achievement and memory retention. The investigation was conducted utilizing quantitative research methodology, which relies on numerical data for analysis. The study employed a quasi-experimental design, incorporating a pre-test administered at the outset, a post-test conducted at the conclusion, and a retention test administered after the training period. The study was conducted among fifth-grade students attending a public school located in the Edremit district of Van province during the 2023-2024 academic year, comprising a total of 43 students 21 of whom were control group students and 22 of whom were experimental group students.The researcher prepared a test called 'Percentages Achievement Test' during the study process. This test was first used as a pretest and then reapplied as a posttest after training was given. Later, the same test was used as a permanence test to measure the permanence of knowledge, and this test was carried out 8 weeks after the study. In the pre-test phase, both the control group and the experimental group underwent a test, revealing equivalence in the mean responses between the two groups. Over the course of the 4-week study period, students in the experimental group were taught four learning outcomes through an activity-based teaching approach. Meanwhile, students in the control group followed the traditional curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of National Education. Data analysis was conducted utilizing the SPSS v27 software program. The analysis revealed a notable difference in the post-test scores between the groups. Eight weeks following the study, the results of the retention test indicated a significant advantage in favor of the experimental group students. The research findings suggest that the activity-based teaching approach has a beneficial impact on maintaining students enthusiasm for learning.making them enthusiastic about learning, participating in activities more actively, developing social skills, achieving academicsuccess.