The effect of using realistic mathematics education on the 7th grade students' mathematical achievement about algebraic expression and attitude towards mathematics

The aim of this study was investigating the effects of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach on 7th grade students' mathematical achievements (procedural, conceptual and awareness) and attitudes towards mathematics when compared to lecture based instructions. For this aim, a quasi-experimental research design was employed. Two 7th grade classes in a public elementary school were selected for the study. One class was assigned as experimental group and the other class was assigned as the control group. Students in the experimental group were used RME approach for instuction, while those in control group were instructed with lecture based mathematicsinstruction for a period of 5 weeks. Mathematical Achievement Test for seventh graders and Attitudes Scale towards Mathematics (Önal, 2013) were administered as pre-test and post-test to collect data. ANCOVA and t-test were used for data analysis. Test results of mathematical achievements revealed that there was a statistically significant mean difference between the experimental and the control group, in favor of the experimental group. Test results about attitudes towards mathematics revealed that there was no statistically significant mean difference between the experimental and the control group.