Basic thinking skills included in the questions of the final ministerial exams for the primary stage in the subject of social textbooks

Abstract

The present study aims at analyzing the questions of the final ministerial exams for the primary stage in the subject of social textbooks for the first and second terms for the years (2017, 2018, 2019) in light of basic thinking skills. To achieve the objectives of the present study, the two researchers prepared a list of basic thinking skills containing twelve skills. The list was presented to the experts and specialists in curricula and teaching methods in Sociology and educational psychology. They proceeded to analyze the list to make sure of the consistency of the analysis. The two researchers used the overtime method of analysis with the help of other analysts. Using the (G, Cooper) equation, the coefficient of stability between the first researcher and himself over time was (95.7), between the second researcher and himself over time, it was (93.6), between the first researcher and the second researcher, it was (97.8), between the first researcher and the external analysts, it was (91.4), and between the second researcher and the external analysts, it was (89.3). For the purpose of extracting the results, the two researchers used the frequencies and percentages of basic thinking skills. The two researchers reached to the results that the questions of the final ministerial exams for primary stage in the subject of social studies did not achieve all basic thinking skills. This means that the skills of (sequence, classification, contradiction, problem solving, information gathering, interpretation, and prediction) did not achieve any frequency. Remembering skill achieved the highest frequency (26) with a percentage of (55.319%), followed by the skill of applying procedures which achieved (7) frequencies and a percentage of (14.896%). The recalling and reasoning skill achieved (6) frequencies and a percentage of (12.765%), The skill of interpretation and summarization achieved one frequency and a percentage of (2.127). In light of the results, the two researchers reached a set of conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions. As they concluded that the questions focused on the levels of memorization and retrieval of information lower than other levels of thinking. The two researchers recommended conducting a study analyzing the questions of the final ministerial exams for the primary stage according to basic thinking skills. The two researchers suggested conducting a study that shows the obstacles hindering the ministry from implementing thinking skills in the curricula and questions for the sixth grade of primary school in a way that motivates students' thinking and urges them to acquire basic thinking skills.