The Effectiveness of the Learning Contracts Strategy in Developing Deep Understanding Skills among Second Intermediate Grade Female Students in Biology

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Learning Contracts Strategy in developing deep understanding skills among second intermediate grade female students in Biology. To achieve the objective of the study, the following null hypothesis was formulated:

 There is no statistically significant difference at the level of significance (0.05) between the mean scores of the experimental group (A), who study Biology according to the Learning Contracts Strategy, and the mean scores of the control group (B), who study according to the traditional method, on the Deep Understanding Test.

The researcher adopted a quasi-experimental design with partial control. Al-I’tidal Secondary School for Girls was intentionally selected. Section (A) was assigned as the experimental group, while Section (B) represented the control group. The research sample consisted of (60) female students, with (30) students in each group.

The two groups were equated in the variables of chronological age (in months), previous achievement in Biology for the second intermediate grade, intelligence, and prior knowledge test scores. Ninety (90) behavioral objectives were formulated according to Bloom’s Taxonomy at four levels: remembering, understanding, applying, and analyzing. Eighteen (18) lesson plans were prepared, with nine (9) lesson plans for each group.

Content validity and face validity were verified by presenting the instrument to a panel of experts and specialists in teaching methods, measurement, and evaluation, achieving an agreement rate of (85%). Reliability was calculated using the Kuder–Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20), yielding a reliability coefficient of (0.88), which indicates a high level of reliability.

The researcher employed appropriate statistical methods and utilized the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that adopting the Learning Contracts Strategy contributes to the development of students’ cognitive abilities, enhances the connection between prior and current knowledge, and promotes deep understanding.

The researcher also presented several recommendations and suggestions.