The Effectiveness of Mathematical Modelling in Teaching a Proposed unit on Achievement and Developing Creative Thinking For Grade Eight Students in Al-Nadira

Abstract

The present study aimed at identifying the effectiveness of mathematical modelling in teaching a proposed unit on academic achievement and promoting creative thinking among grade (8) female students in Al-Nadira. The two researchers followed the quasi-experimental approach, which consisted of a control group and an experimental group with a pre-post-test. Sample of the study consisted of (68) students form grade (8) in Wadi Bana School, which was divided into two equal groups, i.e., control and experimental groups. In order to achieve the aim of the study, a unit was proposed, a teacher’s manual was prepared, and an academic achievement test was prepared as well for the knowledge levels (remembering, understanding, and application). A creative thinking test was also constructed for fluency, flexibility, and originality skills. Results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of students of the two groups in the academic achievement and creative thinking post tests in favor of the experimental group. In addition, there is a statistically significant direct correlated relationship between academic achievement and creative thinking in mathematics. In the light of the results, the researchers recommend that it is necessary to include mathematical modelling in mathematics curriculum, plus suggesting that similar studies should be conducted to investigate teaching in other learning stages/levels.