Attitudes of 7th class students toward mathematics in realistic mathematics education

Abstract

In this study the aim is to determine the variation of students’ attitude levels through Mathematics by performing an education in which Realistic Mathematics Education is used. In the inclusion of this aim, a Likert type attitude scale containing 26 items was prepared. The scale’s validity and reliability were made and for this aim the scale was applied to 167 students as a plot group before it was applied to the real student group. The scale’s Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was determined as .94. According to the result, this scale is reliable. The scale has taken form from 13 positive and 13 negative attitude items. In the study, pre-attitude, post-attitude control groups’ design was applied. The experiment and control groups were determined by impartial appointment. The pattern has been taken form from 73 students. Using Realistic Mathematics Education for experiment group and traditional method for control group made the education. At the beginning of the education and at the end of the education pre-attitude scale and postattitude scale was applied to both of the groups. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS packet program. The analyze result shows that the education made by using Realistic Mathematics Education makes positive variations in students’ attitude levels through mathematics.