Active Learning Model and Students’ Engagement in Teaching Mathematics: Development and Implementation

Abstract

This study aimed to develop and implement an active learning model for teaching mathematics at the secondary level. The active learning model (4WsHs) for teaching mathematics was developed after studying related literature, existing models for active learning, and active learning strategies for teaching mathematics. The model was validated by the committee of experts using three phases of the Delphi technique. To test the effectiveness of the newly developed active learning model, an experiment was conducted by following a pretest-posttest equivalent groups design. The students of 9^th grade in two Government High Schools, Mansehra were taken as a sample of the study. The students were divided into two equivalent groups as control and experimental groups based on pre-test scores by using matched random sampling technique. The experimental group received treatment by teaching through the 4WsHs model while the control group was taught through the traditional chalk and talk method. The findings elicited that the new active learning model was effective in enhancing the academic achievement of students in mathematics. The study suggested that teachers may receive training to implement active learning techniques in the Mathematics classroom. Moreover, skilled teachers may improve students' learning outcomes in Mathematics by utilizing the vast arsenal of active learning strategies as suggested in the model.