THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES USING GPAS 5 STEPS COMBINED WITH THINK-PAIR-SHARE TECHNIQUE TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES OF GRADE 7 STUDENTS

Abstract

       This research aimed to: 1) construct and evaluate the efficiency of learning activities using the GPAS 5Steps approach combined with the Think-Pair-Share technique to enhance the scientific problem-solving abilities of Grade 7 (Mathayomsuksa 1) students, based on the 75/75 criterion; 2) examine the outcomes of implementing these learning activities; and  3) study the students' satisfaction towards learning through the developed activities. The study employed a three-step research and development (R&D) process aligned with the research objectives. The sample consisted of 45 Grade 7students, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included: 1) four lesson plans incorporating the learning activities designed to meet the 75/75 standard criterion; 2) a scientific problem-solving ability test; and 3) field notes. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, the E1/E2 efficiency index, a one-sample t-test, and a dependent samples t-test.

          The research findings revealed that 1) The learning activities were appropriate at the highest level (  = 4.78, S.D. = 0.12) and achieved an efficiency of 77.08/75.46, which met the 75/75 criteria. 2) The implementation results showed that the students' post-test scores were higher than the 75% criterion. Furthermore, the post-test scores were higher than the pre-test scores at a statistically significant level .05, and the students demonstrated sequential improvement in their scientific problem-solving abilities. By the end of the activities, they were able to completely and logically execute all steps: problem identification, problem analysis, proposing solutions, and verifying outcomes.  3) The students' overall satisfaction with the learning activities was at a high level (  = 4.29, S.D. = 0.60).