The Impact of Using Understanding by Design (UbD) Model on 8th-Grade Student’s Achievement in Science

Abstract

The study explores the impact of using Understanding by Design (UbD) Model on 8th-grade student’s achievement in science. The population of the study consisted of all the students of 8th grade at the Al Majd Model School for boys and Al Ebdaa Model School for Girls in Dubai. A sample of (60) students was drawn using random sampling technique. They were divided into two groups formed through matching based on their pre-test scores. The main objective of the study is to expose the experimental group in using Understanding by Design (UbD) Model and to compare the effectiveness of this mode of teaching in the teaching of science material. The pre-test-post-test control group experimental design is chosen for this work. The independent variable in the study is UbD model of teaching, while the dependent variable is the academic achievement of students. This study tool depended on academic achievement test in the Sciences material for the 8th grade prepared by the researcher. Also, the validity and reliability of the study tools was verified. The results shows a non-significant differences between the experimental and control groups based on the mean score in the Academic Achievement of Science Test (AAST) for 8th grade before applying UbD Model (pertest scores), a Significant differences between the experimental and control groups based on the mean score in the Academic Achievement of Science Test (AAST) for 8th grade after applying UbD Model (posttest scores), and a non-significant differences between boys and girls based on the mean score in the Academic Achievement of Science Test (AAST) for 8th grade before applying UbD Model.