Team-Based Learning for Improving Students' Performance in Mathematics 8

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Education aims to create teaching and learning environments that would bring about desired changes in learners, whether to be more knowledgeable, better skilled or to influence their attitudes and values positively. It can be construed then that the greatest and inevitable challenges educators face is determining the most effective strategies for their students. Teachers, then, must think of using a modern instructional approach such as team-based learning, which is one of the most commonly used forms of active pedagogy.

METHODS

The experimental type of research using post-test only control group design was applied in this study to determine the validity and appeal of team-based learning on student's performance in Mathematics 8. Prior to the experiment, the researcher attempted to determine the level of proficiency of the respondents in terms of their grades in Mathematics 7, scores in a diagnostic test, grades in Mathematics 8 for the first grading period and pre-test scores. The study likewise included determining the significant difference in the achievement level of the experimental and control group after the experiment. The data gathered were tallied and presented through tables and text. The t-test for independent samples, mean, standard deviation and t-test for dependent samples was used as statistical treatment.

RESULTS

Based on the matching made by the researcher, the study showed that the students in the experimental and control group exemplified the same level of proficiency. The significant difference between the performance of the experimental and control group in the post-test was indicated by the computed t-value of 15.80 which is higher than the critical t-value of 2.014 at .05 level of significance. The findings also revealed that the developed team-based learning activities helped the students in the experimental group to perform better in Mathematics 8. Thus, team-based learning enhances understanding of a lesson in Mathematics.

DISCUSSIONS

This action research had seen the value of using team-based learning approach as an instructional strategy in improving the performance of Talipan NHS Grade 8 students in selected Mathematics 8 topics. It is recommended to strengthen the use of team-based learning in teaching Mathematics in all grade levels. In addition, it is also recommended to enhance the team-based learning activities by making its difficulty adjusted to the needs of the students and emphasizing that it is vital to have positive learning outcomes.