Concept maps usages's effect on students' academic success and attitude by teaching of the subject of square root of number at 8th grades

This study is done to determine student success, permanence of learning, and effect of attitude towards mathematics with mind map supported education in teaching of square rooted numbers subject in secondary school 8th grades' mathematics lesson compared with traditional teaching method. The population of the study is 8th grade students in Bağlar District in Diyarbakır Province. The sample of the study is 8th grade students at Beyaz Tebeşir Primary School (Its transformation hasn't been completed yet.) in Bağlar District in Diyarbakır Province. After an experimental group class (N=27) and a control group class (N=26) from 8th grade classes are specified in the study, the pretest-posttest control grouped experimental design is used. The study continued during 4 weeks, traditional teaching method for the control group and mind map supported education for the experimental group were taught lessons. "Success Test" developed by Özkök (2010) was used three times, at the beginning of the study, at the last of the study and at the practise of post-test after 4-weeks later as a data collection tool. Another data collection tool "Attitude Scale for Mathematics Lesson" was used once after the study. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS packet programme; the control and the experimental groups were compared in both themselves and intergroup in 0.05 significance level. As a result of the study, it's concluded that teaching of square rooted numbers subject with mind map supported education increases academic success of students and permanence of knowledge and also affect students' attitude towards maths positively, too. Key Words: Mathematics, Mathematics Teaching, Meaningful Learning, Mind Map Supported Education, Traditional Teaching Method.