An investigation on applicability of problem based learning in the mathematics lesson at the second stage in the elementary education

In our day, individuals should have great deal of skills in order to keep upwith improvements since science and technology take progress rapidly. Gainingthese skills for the individuals will be possible only through education systemdirected in certain purposes in our society. In this context, our education system hasgreat responsibility. Different learning methods should be used especially in theelementary education where students gain most of the skills. One of these methods is?problem based learning? based on the constructivist learning theory.The objective of this study was to investigate applicability of problem basedlearning in the mathematics lessons at the second stage in the elementary education.Therefore, the effects of problem based learning on students for Van Hiele levels ofgeometrical thinking, self-efficacy beliefs, critical thinking skills, attitudes towardsmathematics and academic achievement were examined in this research.The research was designed based on an experimental pre-test post-testmodel. The research was conducted with 46 seventh grade students from a privateschool during 2005-2006 academic years. Two groups of students were investigated.The experiment group consists of 24 students, while the control group consists of 22students. Problem based learning and traditional instruction methods were used in theexperiment group and the control group respectively.Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches have been consideredin the study. The data were collected by using the Van Hiele Geometry Test, Self-Efficacy Scale towards Geometry, Critical Thinking Skills Scale Related to Angleand Polygon Subject, Mathematics Attitudes Scale and Geometry Achievement Test.Furthermore, evaluations of experimental group students for themselves and for theirfacilitators, and evaluations of facilitators for their students were examined. Besides,the views of faculty members, mathematics teachers and the experimental groupstudents about problem based learning method were also determined. The qualitativedata obtained during the research were assessed by SPSS 11.0 packet program andthe quantitative data were analyzed by coding the determined categories byresearcher.According to the results of the research, it was found that problem basedlearning method raised students? levels of geometric thinking, positively affectedstudents? self-efficacy beliefs towards geometry, improved their critical thinkingskills, constituted positive attitudes towards mathematics, and raised students? levelsof achievement in mathematics lessons. In addition, it was also found that facultymembers, teachers and students have positive views about this method and studentsgained a lot of skills during the assessment process.Key Words: Problem Based Learning, Van Hiele Level of Thinking, Self- EfficacyBeliefs, Critical Thinking Skills, Attitudes towards Mathematics, AcademicAchievement.