The Effect of Using Sketchpad Program on The Achievement of Ninth Grade Students in Mathematics and Mathematical Self Concept at the District of Nablus

The study aimed at investigating the effect of using Sketchpad program on ninth graders’ achievement and their mathematical self concept at District of Nablus. The researcher tried specifically to answer this question: What is the effect of using Sketchpad program on students’ achievement and their mathematical self concept of students of ninth grade at the District of Nablus? To answer the study question and its hypotheses, the researcher applied a Quasi Experimental approach and the Qualitative approach on a sample of (64) ninth graders studying at Ibn Al-Haitham Primary School for Boys during the first semester 2013-2014. The sample was divided into two groups; one is treatment, the other is compared. The two groups studied the Circle Unit in Mathematics textbook; the treatment group was taught using sketchpad program, while the compared group was taught using a traditional approach of teaching. - A post-test that measures the achievement of the students after having finished the studying the circle unit. The validity and the reliability of the test were calculated, and the value of reliability was (0.83). - A scale of mathematical self concept in the pre and post phases of using Sketchpad program. The validity and the reliability of the test were calculated, and the value of reliability was (0.94). - The two questions relating to the opinions of the tenth grade students and their teacher about using Sketchpad program in learning the Circle Unit. The researcher has got the answers through direct interview. To test the hypothesis, the data were analyzed by using One-Way Analysis of Variance ANCOVA, and by using Pearson correlation to examine the relation between educational attainment and the mathematical self concept. The result of the study was: 1. There is a significant statistical difference at (a=0.05) between the mean of the ninth students who used Sketchpad program to learn the circle unit and the mean of ninth students who used the traditional method based on the achievement of the post-test. The results were in favor of the treatment group. 2. There is a significant statistical difference (α=0,05) between the mean of mathematical self concept of the ninth grade students who used Sketchpad program to learn the circle unit and the mean of the ninth students who used the traditional way. The results were in favor of the treatment group. 3. There is a significant statistical difference (α=0,05) between the ninth grade students' achievement and mathematical self concept. It is appositive relation. The more the mathematical self concept is increased, the more the students' achievement will be increased also. On the basis of the results, the researcher recommended to involve the geometry program Sketchpad in teaching math curriculum especially for the geometry units for all levels. Another recommendation to train teachers and educational supervisors to practical courses about the use of the Sketchpad program and how to use it. That, they perceive its importance to teach students geometry. The study proved that the program use supported the math curriculum and it was a good method to support its teaching strategies.