The Development of Active Learning Activities to Enhance Mathematical Connection Skills on the Topic of Statistics for GRADE 7 Students

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: (1) to develop active learning to enhance mathematical connection skills of Grade 7 students, (2) to study students’ mathematical connection skills during learning through the active learning activity plans, (3) to compare students’ learning achievement before and after learning with the active learning activity plans, and (4) to study students’ satisfaction toward the active learning.

The sample group consisted of 21 Grade 7 students from Ban Wang Sabang Community School, selected by cluster random sampling. The research instruments were the active learning activity plans, a mathematical connection skill assessment form, a learning achievement test, and a student satisfaction questionnaire. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics.

          The findings revealed that: 1) The development of active learning to enhance mathematical connection skills consisted of four main stages: planning, implementation, knowledge presentation, and application. The overall quality of the learning activity plans, as evaluated by experts, was rated at the highest level.; 2) The study of students’ mathematical connection skills during learning showed that all students achieved scores above the 70% criterion. 3) A comparison of students’ academic achievement before and after participating in the active learning  revealed that the post-test scores were significantly higher than the pre-test scores at the 0.05 level of statistical significance and 4) The results of the student satisfaction survey indicated that students had the highest level of satisfaction with the active learning designed to enhance their mathematical connection skills.