Effectiveness of Using the IMPROVE Program on the Achievements of Preliminary Students

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the seven-stop IMPROVE program (Introducing new concepts, Metacognitive questioning, Practicing, Reviewing and reducing difficulties, Obtaining mastery, Verification, and Enrichment) on the achievement of preliminary students at Taif University, Saudi Arabia, at the first three levels of the Bloom's taxonomy (Knowledge, Comprehension, Application). The researcher used the experimental design to achieve the objective of the study. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the sample was chosen in a deliberate manner from groups that were taught using cooperative learning in mathematics classes. The experimental group (32 students) who studied using the IMPROVE program was compared with the second group (32 students) who were taught in the traditional lecture style. The results of the study showed the effectiveness of using the IMPROVE program in mathematics teaching at the knowledge, comprehension and application levels. This study recommends the use of this metacognitive strategy in mathematics teaching for other stages of education. It also recommends expanding awareness in educational institutions of the concept of metacognition and its importance in improving the learners’ awareness to deal with mathematics problems.