The Effectiveness of SimPly Worktext in the Teaching of Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions in Mathematics (Keberkesanan Teks Kerja SimPly dalam Pengajaran Permudahkan Ungkapan Algebra Rasional dalam Matematik)

Abstract

Teaching mathematics pertains conceptualization, innovation and development of instructional materials that will be useful in the learning process, which will eventually lead to independent or self-reliant learning. This quasi-experimental study have investigated the effectiveness of the SimPly (Simplify-Apply) worktext in the teaching of Simplifying Rational Algebraic Expressions in Mathematics on 80 Grade 8 students. The students have underwent 10 learning sessions, whereby the experimental group was taught using SimPly worktext, and the control group was taught using conventional method. Pre-test and post-test was used as instrument. Findings show that the mean mathematical ability of the experimental group was comparable with the control group, and that in both groups, the mean values of the post-test scores were higher than the pre-test scores. There is a significant difference between the post-test mean scores of experimental and control groups, whereby the control group scored higher than the experimental group, which shows that the conventional method of teaching was more effective than using the SimPly worktext. However, there is no significant differences in the students’ schievement according to their mathematical ability. In conclusion, the experimental group fared no better than the control group after following all learning sessions. This implicates that the intervention needs a lot of improvement to be effective in the teaching of mathematics.

Keywords: Worktext; Modular Instruction; Mathematics; quasi-experimental; intervention

Pengajaran matematik melibatkan konseptualisasi, inovasi dan pembangunan bahan pengajaran yang berguna dalam proses pembelajaran, yang akhirnya akan membawa kepada pembelajaran kendiri atau berdikari. Kajian kuasi-eksperimen ini mengkaji keberkesanan teks kerja SimPly (Simplify-Apply) dalam pengajaran Permudahkan Ungkapan Algebra Rasional dalam Matematik ke atas 80 orang pelajar Gred 8. Pelajar telah menjalani 10 sesi pembelajaran, di mana kumpulan eksperimen diajar menggunakan teks kerja SimPly, dan kumpulan kawalan diajar menggunakan kaedah konvensional. Ujian pra dan ujian pasca digunakan sebagai instrumen. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa min keupayaan matematik kumpulan eksperimen adalah setanding dengan kumpulan kawalan, dan dalam kedua-dua kumpulan, nilai min markah ujian pasca adalah lebih tinggi daripada markah ujian pra. Terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan antara skor min ujian pasca kumpulan eksperimen dan kawalan, di mana kumpulan kawalan mendapat markah lebih tinggi daripada kumpulan eksperimen, yang menunjukkan kaedah pengajaran konvensional adalah lebih berkesan daripada menggunakan teks kerja SimPly. Walau bagaimanapun, tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam pencapaian pelajar mengikut kebolehan matematik mereka. Kesimpulannya, kumpulan eksperimen tidak lebih baik daripada kumpulan kawalan selepas mengikuti kesemua sesi pembelajaran. Ini mengimplikasikan bahawa intervensi ini memerlukan banyak penambahbaikan supaya menjadi berkesan dalam pengajaran matematik.

Kata kunci: Teks kerja; Instruksi Modular; Matematik; kuasi eksperimen; intervensi