Promoting Mathematical Reasoning and Communication Ability through the Development of an Instructional Model Based on Experiential Learning and Problem-Based Learning Approaches

This research aimed to develop and study the effectiveness of an instructional model based on experiential learning and problem-based learning approaches to promote mathematical reasoning and communication ability. This research and development study was divided into two phases, the instructional model development phase and the experimental implementation phase of the developed instructional model. The sample group, consisted of 231 students in Grade 9 (or Matayom 3) students in Thailand, was divided into an experimental group of 119 students and a control group of 112 students. The research tools used for data collection were a mathematical reasoning ability test and a mathematical communication ability test. The research findings revealed 1)The developed instructional model was composed of 5 steps, reviewing prior knowledge and setting learning objectives, studying problem situations related to daily life and analyzing new concepts for independent exploration, grouping to conclude new concepts; applying conclusions of new concepts to verify rationality, and applying and extending learning. 2) The experimental group students had significantly higher mathematical reasoning and communication ability after the experiment compared to the control group students at the level of statistical significance .05, both overall and individual components of mathematical reasoning and communication ability.