The Effectiveness of Active Teaching Strategies in Geography and Their Role in Developing Cognitive Awareness among Fifth Literary Grade Students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of active learning strategies in teaching geography for developing metacognitive awareness among secondary school students. The study is grounded in contemporary educational trends that emphasize the importance of learner-centered approaches, where students actively participate in the learning process rather than passively receiving information.

A quasi-experimental design was adopted, involving two groups: an experimental group taught using active learning strategies and a control group taught using traditional methods. The sample consisted of 60 fifth-grade literary students, divided equally between the two groups. A metacognitive awareness test was developed and validated to measure students’ abilities in planning, monitoring, and evaluating their learning processes.

The results, analyzed using statistical methods including t-tests and effect size (Cohen’s d), revealed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group in the post-test. The findings indicate that active learning strategies had a substantial impact on enhancing students’ metacognitive awareness. Additionally, a large effect size was observed, confirming the strong influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

The study concludes that active learning strategies contribute significantly to improving students’ higher-order thinking skills and fostering deeper understanding of geographical concepts. These strategies also enhance students’ engagement, motivation, and ability to regulate their own learning.

Based on these findings, the study recommends integrating active learning strategies into geography curricula, providing professional training for teachers, and designing interactive learning environments that promote metacognitive development. Furthermore, it suggests conducting future research to explore the effectiveness of active learning in other subjects and educational stages.