RME-based interactive multimedia activities to improve grade 8 students’ performance in mathematics

Abstract

Despite ongoing reforms in instruction, many students struggle with abstract mathematical concepts. Hence, this study developed Realistic Mathematics Education (RME)-based interactive multimedia activities and examined their effects on students’ mathematics performance. Following the Research and Development method, the interactive multimedia activities aligned with Realistic Mathematics Education principles were developed using PowerPoint with Visual Basic for Applications integration. An achievement test was used to ascertain the mathematics performance of forty-one Grade 8 students. Focus group discussions and journal entries were analyzed using thematic analysis to determine students’ perceptions of the activities. Descriptive analysis revealed that students with “outstanding” proficiency levels increased by 29%, and those with “did not meet expectations” decreased by 41% after the implementation. The t-test result showed that students' achievement test scores increased (t = 6.42; p < .001), with a large effect size (d = 1.002). Additionally, five subthemes related to students’ positive perceptions of the developed activities were identified: (1) personal beliefs, (2) positive mindset, (3) inquiry learning, (4) authentic learning, and (5) mathematical understanding. This study demonstrates an accessible and practical approach for creating interactive multimedia activities to advance pedagogical applications of the RME framework.