Research Article

Enhancing decimal problems solving of sixth grade students: Using the bar model technique

Bunyisa Saelo 1 * , Kannika Seemoon 2
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1 Faculty of Science and Industrial Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus, Surat Thani, THAILAND2 Vittayakarn Islam School, Krabi, THAILAND* Corresponding Author
Contemporary Mathematics and Science Education, 7(1), January 2026, ep26007, https://doi.org/10.30935/conmaths/18104
Submitted: 27 November 2024, Published: 13 March 2026
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ABSTRACT

Due to the problem of PISA test results showing mathematics scores below the average, along with teaching and learning issues where students still struggle with solving problems involving decimals then this research aims to achieve two primary objectives: (1) To compare students’ performance on decimal problems before and after implementing the bar model technique. (2) To examine the effectiveness of the bar model technique in enhancing students’ achievement in solving decimal problems, with a criterion of 70 out of 70. The sample for this study was specifically selected from a group of 29 students in the class. The students were then given a pre-test, and those who scored below 65% of the total score were selected. As a result, 15 students who struggled with solving decimal problems were identified. This research follows a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative data collection. Six students were randomly selected for interviews as the target group for qualitative analysis. The results revealed the following: (1) The post-test scores of the students were significantly higher than their pre-test scores at a significance level of 0.05. The post-test average score was 16.73, while the pre-test average score was 11.20. The discrepancy between the pre- and post-test scores was 5.53. (2) The effectiveness of the bar model technique on students’ achievement in solving decimal problems (E1 and E2) was found to be 79.77 percent and 83.65 percent, respectively, surpassing the specified threshold. Interviews with the target students indicated a clear increase in average scores. Students commented that the bar model improved their understanding of individual phrases, enabling them to analyze and represent them symbolically, leading to easier problem-solving. This research provides an alternative teaching method for mathematics. Recommendations for future research could explore the effects of the bar model on students with diverse learning styles or examine how students adapt this method across different cultural settings.
Keywords: decimal problem, bar model technique, achievement, effectiveness

CITATION (APA)

Saelo, B., & Seemoon, K. (2026). Enhancing decimal problems solving of sixth grade students: Using the bar model technique. Contemporary Mathematics and Science Education, 7(1), ep26007. https://doi.org/10.30935/conmaths/18104

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