The effectiveness of a program for developing the skills of mathematical thinking for first year preparatory pupils

Abstract

This research aims to examine a suggested program based on student activity for developing mathematical thinking skills for first year preparatory pupils in Israel and for measuring the effectiveness of a proposed program. The researcher uses the experimental approach to examine the effect of the proposed program on seventh graders in Israel and the study relied on the mathematical thinking test and on the proposed teaching program. The sample of the study consisted of 136 male and female students. The experimental group consists of 66 male and female students, and the control group consists of 70 male and female students. The experimental treatment of the results led to the following conclusions: - There are significant differences between means of pre-and post-test scores of experimental group on mathematical thinking. - There are significant differences between means of post-test scores of experimental and control groups on mathematical thinking the program achieved high effectiveness in developing mathematical thinking skills. The importance of the research lies in the fact that it benefits teachers in identifying the levels of mathematical thinking for their students, which provides an opportunity to develop them, and to know the importance of mathematical thinking and its exploitation in the educational process.

Keywords

• Conceptual Learning
• Thinking Skills
• Mathematical Thinking

References

1. Algani, Y., (2019). Innovative Ways to Teach Mathematics: Are they Employed in Schools? Journal of Computer and Education Research (JCER), 7(14). 496-514. DOI: 10.18009/jcer.612199.
2. Algani, Y., & Eshan, J. (2019). Reasons and suggested solutions for low-level academic achievement in mathematics. International e-Journal of Educational Studies (IEJES), 6 (3): 142-151. DOI: 10.31458/iejes.571751.
3. Algani, Y. (2018). Applying Creative Skills in Teaching Math at the Primary School Stage. Journal of International Economy and Business, 6:26-33.
4. Anthony, G., & Walshaw, M. (2009). Mathematics education in the early years: Building bridges. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 10(2), 107–121.
5. Aubrey, C., Dahl, S., & Godfrey, R. (2006). Early mathematics development and later achievement: further evidence. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 18(1), 27–46.
6. Battista, M.T. (2007). The development of geometric and spatial thinking. In F. K. Lester, Jr (Eds.), Second Handbook of Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning (pp. 843– 908). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
7. Beyer, B. (2001). What Research Suggests about Teaching Thinking Skills, In Costa, Developing Minds: A Resource Book for Teaching, Alexandria, Virginia: ASCD
8. Borromeo, F.R. (2015). Mathematical thinking styles in school and across cultures. In: Cho S. (eds), Selected Regular Lectures from the 12th International Congress on Mathematical Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17187-6_9

9. Carraher, D.W., & Schliemann, A.D. (2007). Early algebra and algebraic reasoning. In F. K. Lester, Jr (Eds.), Second Handbook of Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning (pp. 669– 706). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing
10. Campbell, D.T. (1963). Experimental and quasi–experimental designs for research. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
11. Clements, D.H., Fuson, K.C., & Sarama, J. (2019). Critiques of the common core in Early Math: A research-based response. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 50(1), 11–22.
12. English, L.D. (2013). Reconceptualizing statistical learning in the early years. In L. Y. English. J. T. Mulligan (Eds.), Reconceptualizing Early Mathematics Learning (pp. 67–82). London: Springer
13. Harris, Albert J., & Sipay, Edward R. (1998). How to Increase Reading Ability, New York: David Mckay Company, p.141.
14. Heyd-Metzuyanim, E., Graven M. (2016), Between People-Pleasing and Mathematizing: South African Learners' Struggle for Numeracy. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 91(3): 349-373.
15. Hougland, D. (1997). Supporting Math Thinking, Early-Childhood Education Journal, 32, 81-84
16. Hudson, B., Henderson, S., & Hudson, A. (2015). Developing mathematical thinking in the primary classroom: Liberating students and teachers as learners of mathematics. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 47(3), 374–398.
17. Mann, E. L. (2006). Creativity: The essence of mathematics. Journal for the Education of the Gifted. 30(2), 236–260.
18. Mason, J., Burton, L., Stacey, K. (2010). Thinking Mathematically (second edition). Pearson-Harlow. ISBN: 978-0-273-72891-7
19. Ruggiero, V.R (1994). Teaching Thinking Across the Curriculum, New York, Harper & Row Pub., p.23
20. Singh, J., Singh, C., Singh, M. (2015). Mental skills: a comparison between volleyball and football players. International Multidisciplinary E-Journal, 4(3), 122–128.
21. Siswono.T.Y.E. (2011). Level of student's creative thinking in classroom mathematics. Educational Research and Review, 6(7), 548-553,
22. Treffinger, D. (1996). Teaching Thinking Skills, Elementary School Journal, 70, 101-104.
23. Wilson, V. (2002). Education Forum on Teaching Skills, Report Available Online at www.scotland,g.ov.uk./library3/educational.l.f-tts-03.asp
24. Yesildere, S., Turnuklu, E. B. (2007). Examination of students’ mathematical thinking and reasoning processes. Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences, 40(1), 181–213.