Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the effect of using the problem-solving method in teaching the circles unit on critical thinking and academic achievement among tenth grade students in Al Dhahirah Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods: The quasi-experimental design was followed to answer the study questions. The study sample consisted of (54) female students from the tenth grade at Maqniyat Basic Education School in Ibri in Al Dhahirah Governorate. The study material consisted of a guide for teaching the circles unit of the tenth grade. The study tools consisted of a test on critical thinking skills and an achievement test in the circle's unit. Results: The results of the study showed there is a statistically significant difference at a significance level of (alpha<=0.05) between the average scores of the control and experimental groups in the post-application of the critical thinking skills test in favor of the experimental group. Also, there is a statistically significant difference at a significance level of (alpha<=0.05) between the average scores of the control and experimental groups in the post-application of the achievement test in favor of the experimental group. Conclusions: The study recommended confirming emphasizing the use of the problem-solving method in developing critical thinking skills for other grades of the second cycle in basic education and expanding the use of the problem-solving method in developing other thinking skills, such as spatial, creative, innovative and reflective thinking.