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ABSTRACT
THE EFFECT OF THE INSTRUCTION BASED ON REALISTIC
MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (RME) OF THE UNIT OF SURFACE
MEASURES AND VOLUMES ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND
LEARNERS’ THOUGHTS ABOUT THE INSTRUCTION
Emine ÖZDEMĠR
Balıkesir University, Institute of Science,
Department of Primary Mathematics Education
(Master Thesis / Supervisor: Asist. Prof. Dr. Devrim ÜZEL)
Balıkesir, Turkey, 2008
In this research, the effect of RME based instruction of the unit of ―Surface
Areas and Volumes‖ in the primary mathematics curriculum of the eighth grade, on the
student achievement was searched and the learners‘ thoughts of the instruction was
taken. The research model of the study includes pretest-posttest control group design
and qualitative data gathering procedures- a mixed research design approach.
The research was done on control and experiment groups consisting of seventyfour
eighth grade students who were randomly identified in the year of 2007-2008.
Traditional method was applied to control group while RME supported Mathematics
education was applied to the experiment group. Post-test was applied the both groups at
the end of teaching.
Equating test, mathematical achievement test (pretest-posttest), semi instructed
interview form and instructed observation form was used for gathering the data. At the
end of the study, the data put forward that teaching through RME supported education is
more effective than traditional method and the participants‘ aspects of main principles of
RME was effective on expermental group.
Qualitative results of the study pointed out that learners‘understanding was beter
than previous learnings. Learners developed interepretation skills because of not
learning by heart, learners saw themselves that they were much more competent in
mathematics and geometry achievement. Learners deveopled positive attitudes towards
Mathematics and geometry and thought that the course would be continued on RME
supported education and developed propositions for this direction.
KEY WORDS : Realistic Mathematics Education / Constructivism / Attitudes Towards
Mathematics and Geometry
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