The effects of teaching mathematics creatively on academic achievement, attitudes towards mathematics, and mathematics anxiety

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of teaching math creatively on 6th graders' mathematics achievement, attitudes towards mathematics and mathematics anxiety. A pretest-post test with control group quasi-experimental design was used in the study. The sample of the study was composed of 42 6th graders attending public elementary schools. The data have been collected by administering the Math Achievement Test, Mathematics Attitude Scale and the Math Anxiety Scale. Teaching math creatively was used in teaching mathematics to the experimental group whereas the control group was taught using the traditional method. The results of the study showed that employing teaching math creatively in 6th grade mathematics can be effective in increasing math achievement, attitudes towards math, and decreasing math anxiety. In addition, when effect size is examined, teaching math creatively has a strong effect on students' mathematics achievement (d= 1.97, η2= .57); moderate effect on attitudes towards mathematics (d= 0.50, η2= .08); and a strong effect on mathematics anxiety (d=1.37, η2= .32).