THE EFFECT OF GROUP WORK PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY ON STUDENTS’ SKILL, ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTITUDE IN MATHEMATICS CLASSROOM: IN DINKULA SECONDARY AND PREPARATORY SCHOOL IN SOUTH NATION NATIONALITY PEOPLE REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of group work learning and problem solving strategy on student’s skill, achievement and attitude towards mathematics. The study was conducted at Gurage Zone Mehale Endegagn Worda Dinkula secondary and Preparatory school. The study employed as a quasi-experimental study was carried out to address the research objective. From the total 262 Natural science students 112 students were selected to the study and equally divided into experimental group 56 students and control group 56 students. Two types of instruments were used for measurement. mathematics achievement test problem solving performance test, and in survey method using five likert scale questionnaires and observation check list were used to know students attitude towards problem solving strategy and group work learning, problem solving strategy scale and teachers’ level of practice using problem solving strategy. Pre-test and post-test questions of achievement and problem solving performance test, problem solving strategy scale, group learning and problem solving strategy attitude questioners and observation check list were prepared as data collection tools. Pilot study was carried out on 35 students of the same background but not in the sample group to test the reliability of pre and post achievement tests and problem solving performance tests. The effect size and t-test were used to describe both group students’ achievement and performance test scores and attitude. In which both groups were taught the same topic. The experimental group was taught the topics on topic vector and transformation of the plane through group work learning and problem solving strategy while comparison group was thought the content by traditional method .Results indicated that implementing problem solving strategy and group work learning improved experimental group students’ academic achievement by 9.41% and their problem solving skills by 9.0% and 12.15% of attitude towards problem solving strategy and group work learning respectively. Students developed positive attitude towards group work learning and problem solving strategy and teacher level of practice applying to solve mathematics problem in mathematics classroom was satisfactory. Their academic achievement, problem solving skill and attitude toward mathematics were positively correlated and it was noted that of the two group whose successes were the same at the beginning, the experimental group students came out more successful than the control group. It can be inferred that problem solving strategy and group work learning technique increase the academic achievement, problem solving skill and students’ attitude toward mathematics