The effects of problem based learning approach on learning products in mathematics lesson

In mathematics education, paralel to knowledge era which is rapidly developed and changed instead of traditional education approach new and effective approach required for deveoping students to active learner, learn to learning, critical and creative thinker and problem solver. One of this approach is problem based learning which is student-centered, problem based and inductive approach. Problem based learning is an educational method which is promote students to find solution for real-world problems into colloborative groups. Students learn, base on real-world problems situations with teacher guidance discovering problem, analyze, solve problem and learn to gather konowledge required for learning with problem solving by self and peers. The aim of this research is to examine the effect of problem based learning approach on sudents? academic achievement, attitudes towards to mathematics lesson and retention levels in the teaching of functions issue in high school mathematics lesson at 9th grade. This research is an experimental study, which includes pretest and posttest with control group. In the study, problem based learning approach was used with the experimental group, whereas traditional teaching approach was used with the control group. The research has been carried out in 2006-2007 educational year with total 40 students from 9-D and 9-E classes, who were taught by the same teacher, in Çınar High School, in Diyarbakır. Students who participated in this study are divided into two equal groups, which are the experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=20). ?Mathematics Success Test?, ?Mathematics Attitude Scale? and ?Student Recognition Form? was used as data collection tools. This study is completed within ten weeks without the application of pretest and posttest. Before and after the experimental processes, success test and attitude scale was applied to the groups as a pretest and posttest. 30 days after the experimental processes, success test was again applied in order to evaluate retention levels of the students. The research data were analyzed and commented with the SPSS package program. Obtained data was evaluated and analyzed by using t-test for dependent and independent groups, one-way and two-way ANOVA, frequency, mean and percentage. As a result of collected data analyses in the research; it is concluded that in mathematics education problem based learning approach influenced students by a.) Increasing their academic achievement levels, b.) Increasing their attitudes levels towards to mathematics lesson, c.) Improving their retention levels. With problem-based learning high school students will able to think critical and creative, develop different explanations, prepare data, participate to conflict issues, develop alternative hypothese, design experiments to examine hypothese and between findings choose appropriate hypothese. Through this activities problem-based learning will provide contributions to active cognitive process developing where meaningful learning construct. Key Words: Mathematics Education, Problem Based Learning, Traditional Education, Learning Products, Relation-Function-Process