Effect of mind mapping strategy on achievement and retention in science problem solving ability in relation to academic anxiety of IX graders

Abstract

The study investigates the effect of mind mapping strategy on achievement and retention in Science; and on problem solving ability in relation to academic anxiety. Mind mapping strategy being the independent; achievement, retention and problem solving ability were dependent and academic anxiety was the classificatory variable. The design adopted was experimental pre test - post test method. The study was conducted in four phases. In phase I, both the groups were given pre test of achievement test in Science, problem solving ability and academic anxiety. In the phase II experimental group was exposed to treatment by teaching through mind mapping strategy for a period of 35 days whereas control group through lecture method. In phase III a post test of achievement in Science and problem solving ability were given to both the groups. In phase IV achievement test was used as delayed post test after a gap of 30 days to assess the retention. The analysis was carried out on the gain scores. A 2*2 factorial design was used in the present study for analysis of data on the gain scores. The findings of the present study indicate that mind mapping strategy can be employed in the science classrooms to enhance the achievement and retention of learning among learners. Results of the present study also supported that the mind mapping strategy is useful for all the categories of students ie with low or high academic anxiety. Hence, this technique can be used to enhance the memorizing capacity of the students in Science subjects. This strategy, in the present study, has also been found to have positive effect on the problem solving ability of students. Hence, this technique can be used to develop problem solving ability among the students. These findings of the study has implications for the teachers that they should utilize mind mapping strategy in the teaching learning process, so that , better achievement and retention in Science can be achieved. newline