Impact of visuals on primary school 4th graders’ problem-solving success

Abstract

Aim of the research was to investigate possible impact of visuals on primary school 4th graders’ problem-solving success.108 fourth graders studying at four primary schools in Bartın city center were assigned as participants of the study. The research was carried out in 2016-2017 academic year. The model of the study was post-test control group experimental design, among true experimental models. Four math problems were created as data collection tool. Four visually-aided problems were asked in the experimental group while the same problems without visuals were asked in the control group. Problem-solving successes of the students in both groups were scored according to Progressive Scoring Scale. Mann Whitney U test was employed for data analysis. As a result of the study, statistically significant difference was revealed between problem-solving success post-test scores of the students in the experimental and control groups. This difference was in favor of the students in the experimental group. Furthermore, when the experimental and control group students’ success in understanding problem, planning solution, checking out the plan, checking trueness of the result was compared, significant difference was determined in favor of the experimental group. It was concluded that visuals were effective on problem-solving success of primary school 4th graders.