Investigating the Effectiveness of an Assessment Task through Collaboration in a Bruneian Classroom

Abstract

Changes in the business world have resulted in the rise in demand for individuals who have successfully acquired the 21st century skills. Consequently, it is essential for the 21st century learning to take place in the classrooms. This study investigated the effectiveness of an assessment task in enhancing the students’ understanding in mathematics through collaboration. The assessment task came in the form of a project in which the two main objectives were to create a model using recycled materials and a series of questions based on their model. The mathematics topic on Mensuration was selected for this project and the theme was the ‘Go Green Project’. The task itself was designed to promote active learning environment, and to foster creative learning in mathematics where the designed model was used to elicit the students’ understanding on finding the total surface area and the volume of solids. The task was spread over six mathematics lessons requiring the 25 Year 10 students to work in groups. Thus, enabling the assessment of collaborative skills to take place. Data were collected by means of rubric, students’ questionnaires, and pre- and post-tests. The results of the investigation revealed that effective level of collaboration had taken place among students when using the designed assessment task. When students collaborated with one another, their communication skills had improved, fostered their critical thinking and encouraged them to share ideas.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s1p214