Design of an Educational Program Based on Knowledge Construction and its Effectiveness in Developing the Productive Habits of Mind Among Female University Students

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to develop the productive habits of mind among the female university students, through developing an educational program based on knowledge construction. In order to answer the research questions, the descriptive research method was used to design the educational program, and develop the scale of productive habits of mind. . On the other hand, the semi-experimental method was followed to measure the effectiveness of the program. After verifying the validity of the research tools, an experiment was applied on (72) students representing the experimental and control groups with (36) students in each group. The research resulted in preparing a list of the productive habits of mind that are appropriate for the university students; and designing an educational program based on knowledge construction to assist the students to develop these habits. The research results revealed a statistical significant positive effect of the educational program on the students in the experimental group regarding the habits of thinking flexibly, thinking about thinking ,questioning and posing problems and applying past knowledge to new situations. On the other hand, the results showed no statistically significant positive effect of the educational program on developing the habits of creating, Imagining and Innovating and metacognition. The researchers recommend to get the benefit of the designed program and apply it in the university teaching to help the students develop the habits of mind needed for the university students, and raise the necessity of applying knowledge construction in the university teaching.