Investigating student growth in problem-based learning treatment mathematics classes

The purpose of the present study was to investigate student growth with respect to making effort for learning, doing research, and group working in problem based learning treatment classes. 27 ninth grade industrial vocational high school students participated in the study. To obtain data in student growth, at the end of the problem scenarios regarding ‘natural numbers and integers’, a self-assessment form was implemented to students four times. Data were analyzed through percentage method. The results revealed, in the problem based learning treatment classes, positive changes were observed in the self-assessments with respect to the students’ abilities in making an effort to learn, doing research, and group working. These findings were discussed in the light of the related literature and some suggestions were provided.