The effects of problem based learning technique on sixth grade students' acedemic achievement and attitudes toward mathematics course

In this experimental study, the effects of the problem based leaning techniques on the academic achievements and attitudes of sixth grade Mathematics students while problem based learning techniques have been used in the experimental group, 2011-2012 Mathematics Course instruction program has been used in the control. The study has been designed on experimental group with pretest and posttest control group. The study has been conducted in a state/public secondary school in the district of Düzce in the fall semester of 2011–2012 academic years with 79 students. The study has been conducted in one experimental, one control group and lasted 8 weeks. The courses have been taught by the researcher both in the experimental group and the control group. In this study to find out the effects of problem based leaning techniques both qualitative and quantitative techniques have been used. "Mathematics Achievement Test" and "Mathematics Attitude Scale" developed by Baykul (1990) have been administered at the beginning of the study as pre-test, at the end of the study as post-test to both experimental and control groups. Furthermore, the "Self-Identifications Scale" has been utilized for all of the participants to their personal details. To collect qualitative data "Semi-Structured Interview Form" has been used find thoughts of the students about the process. Covariance analysis has been conducted on the data obtained from the achievement tests and attitude scale. The level of significance has been taken p<.05. Content analysis technique has been used in order to analyze the data obtained from "Semi-Structured Interview Form". The results obtained at the end of the study indicated that there has been a significant difference in favour of the experimental group in terms of the post-test scores on the achievement test. Regarding the findings obtained from the "Mathematics Course Attitude Scale", there has been a significant difference among the groups in favour of the experimental group. The results of the interview can be summarized as below: Students stated that they found the courses more interesting and different, so they loved the course. They performed enduring learning with the real life stories and they were more motivated to be involved in the courses. They also added that this technique has enabled them to communicate well with their friends and to help each other.