Eight Grade Students’ Mathematics Achievement in TIMSS 2011 Cognitive Domains- A Comparison across Four Southeast Asian Countries
Abstract
This article describes secondary data analyses that explores students’ performance in Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011 mathematics items that assess lower order thinking (LOT) and higher order thinking (HOT) in the four participating Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand). The objectives are to compare the three cognitive domains of knowing, applying and reasoning for these countries, and to study the students’ performance in LOT and HOT items. The analyses were done both qualitatively using document analyses to investigate the cognitive processes incorporated in the education system, and quantitatively using IDB Analyzer to determine students’ performance. The article reports on detailed students’ performance related to the percentage of students at each benchmark and their percentile achievement. The findings reveal that in Indonesia and Thailand, more students were able to answer HOT items, with higher scores than LOT items. For Malaysia, the general student population were able to answer LOT items, with higher scores when compared to HOT items. In Singapore, students at the bottom 25% obtained higher score for LOT items, while the rest performed better on HOT items. However, a higher percentage of students at the weak, intermediate and advanced categories were more able to answer HOT items. The findings seem to suggest that focusing on problem solving may be inadequate. A strategy worth investigating is complementing the infusion of problem solving skills with making mathematical connections to real life situations through non-routine questions. However, more research is required before suggesting any conclusive pedagogical practice.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Chin, T.Y. et al. (2012). Singapore. In Mullis, I.V.S. et al. (Eds.), TIMSS 2011 Encyclopedia Vol 2: Education policy and curriculum in Mathematics and Science (pp. 801-815). Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.
Dechsri, P. (2012). Thailand. In Mullis, I.V.S. et al., (Eds.), TIMSS 2011 Encyclopedia Vol 2:Education policy and curriculum in Mathematics and Science (pp. 907-921). Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.
Maier, N.R.F. (1933). An aspect of human reasoning. British Journal of Psychology, 24, 144-155
Malaysia. Ministry of Education. (2004a). Integrated curriculum for secondary schools:Curriculum specifications for Mathematics Form 2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:Curriculum Development Centre.
Malaysia. Ministry of Education. (2004b). Integrated curriculum for secondary schools:Syllabus mathematics. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Curriculum Development Centre.
Muhammad Zaini Mohd Zaini & Dewani Goloi (2012). Malaysia. In Mullis, I.V.S. et al. (Eds.), TIMSS 2011 Encyclopedia Vol 2: Education policy and curriculum in Mathematics and Science (pp. 569-584). Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.Mullis, I.V.S., Martin, O.M., Ruddock, G. J., Sullivan, C.Y. & Preuschoff, C. (2009). TIMSS 2011 Assessment Frameworks. Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Boston College.
Mullis, I.V.S., Martin, M.O., Foy, P. & Arora, A. (2012). TIMSS 2011 International results in Mathematics. Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Boston College.
Mullis, I. V. S., Martin, M. O., Minnich, C. A., Stanco, G. M., Arora, A. A., Centurino, V. A. S. & Castle, C.E. (2012a). TIMSS 2011 Encyclopedia: Education policy and curriculum in Mathematics and Science (Vol. 1). Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Boston College.
Mullis, I. V. S., Martin, M. O., Minnich, C. A., Stanco, G. M., Arora, A. A., Centurino, V. A. S. & Castle, C. E. (2012b). TIMSS 2011 Encyclopedia: education policy and curriculum in Mathematics and Science (Vol. 2). Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Boston College.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000). Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Retrieved from http://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Math_Standards/12752_exec_pssm.pdf
Newman, F.M. (1990). Higher order thinking in teaching social studies: A rational for the assessment of classroom thoughtfulness, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 22, 41-56.
Quellmalz, E. S. (1985). Needed: Better methods for testing higher-order thinking skills. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_198510_quellmalz.pdf
Rahmawati, B. (2012). Indonesia. In Mullis, I.V.S. et al. (Eds.), TIMSS 2011 Encyclopedia Vol 1: Education policy and curriculum in Mathematics and Science (pp. 397-405). Chesnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Lynch School of Education, Boston College.
Rajendran, N.S. (2010). Teaching & acquiring higher-order thinking skills. Perak, Malaysia:Penerbitan Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
Reba'i, M. (2013). Apa, mengapa dan bagaimana Pendidikan Matematika Realistik Indonesia (PMRI). Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/5978707/APA_MENGAPA_DAN_BAGAIMANA_PMRI
Robertson-Kraft, C. & Porter, A. (2011). Analysis of Upper Secondary Mathematics Standards from Seven Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economies. Retrieved from http://www.cgp.upenn.edu/ope/documents/APEC_Math_Standards.pdf
Sembiring, R. K., (2010). Pendidikan Matematika Realistik Indonesia (PMRI):Perkembangan dan Tantangannya. IndoMS. J.M.E, 1 (1), 11-16
Sembiring, R.K., Hadi, S., & Dolk, M. (2008). Reforming mathematics learning in Indonesian classrooms through RME. ZDM Mathematics Education, 40, 927–939
Singapore. Ministry of Education. (2006). Secondary mathematics syllabus. Singapore:Curriculum planning and development division. Retrieved from www.moe.gov.sg/education/syllabuses/sciences/files/maths-secondary.pdf
Thailand. Ministry of Education. (2008). The basic education core curriculum B.E. 2551 (A.D. 2008). Retrieved from http://www.act.ac.th/document/1741.pdf
Thailand. Ministry of Education. (2001). Curriculum of basic education 2001. Retrieved from http://nrru.ac.th/be/data/cur.pdf.
Thailand. Ministry of Education. (2008). Core curriculum of basic education 2001. Retrieved from http://www.khaotolon.com/images/sub_1218591375/intro_mid_2551.pdf
Thompson, T. (2011). An analysis of higher-order thinking on Algebra I end-of course tests. Retrieved from http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/journal/thompson.pdf.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46517/seamej.v5i1.30
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Indexed by:
Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal
SEAMEO Regional Centre for QITEP in Mathematics
Jl. Kaliurang Km 6, Sambisari, Condongcatur, Depok, Sleman
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Telp. +62 274 889955
Email: seamej@qitepinmath.org
p-ISSN: 2089-4716 | e-ISSN: 2721-8546
Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
View My Stats
Supported by: