The effect of learning environments designed according to the realistic mathematics education approach on the success of 6th grade students

In this research, the effect of teaching on students' success and attitudes towards maths on the subject of multiplier and multiples? In 6th grade math lesson was examined with the activities planned according to realistic mathematics education approach. Moreover, the students' views towards applied activities were probed. In the survey, quasi-experimental design was used.The application was carried out on the total of 50 students in 6th grade consisting of 25 ones in the experimental group and 25 ones in the control group who continued their education at a public school in the fall semester of 2018-2019 academic year.The groups were selected by taking into consideration both 5th grade math report notes and 5th grade end of year general academic report notes.In the experimental group,lessons were taught with the activities designed according to the approach of realistic mathematics education.When it comes to the control group,mathematics was taught in accordance with the activities in 6th grade textbook in 2018-2019 academic year.In the research,mathematics achievement test related with the learning outcomes on the subject of "the Multiplier and Multiples" taught in the experimental group and control group was utilized to measure students'achievement. Furthermore, the attitude scale towards mathematics was used to measure students' attitudes towards maths. Maths achievement test and attitude scale towards mathematics were applied to the groups as pretest and posttest.In addition,semi-structured interview form was made to the experimental group and control group at the end of the process.In the search,the quantitative data obtained from mathematics test and attitude scale towards maths were analyzed by using the independent groups t-test and dependent groups t-test techniques in parametric tests in SPSS 22.0 statistics program.The qualitative data gained from interview form were analyzed by descriptive analysis method. As a consequence, according to the findings of the research, a statistically significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group in the achievement and attitudes of the students towards mathematics. Besides,as a result of the research it was concluded according to the data acquired from the semi interview form that not only the experimental group students' interest in the course increased but also their views towards learning environments which were designed according to realistic mathematics approach changed possitively.These results demonstrate that teaching is very effective with realistic mathematics education approach.