Effectiveness of Problem-Centered Learning in Enhancing Senior High School Students’ Achievements in Genetics

Abstract

Twenty-first-century competencies and mathematical literacy have many overlapping features. Although mathematical literacy is one of the necessary components to create 21st-century skills, each individual needs to understand mathematical literacy to solve the problems encountered in daily life. This study examined the effects of pre-service teachers’ mathematical literacy self-efficacy on their perceptions of 21st-century skills efficiency. A total of 230 pre-service primary school teachers, 102 (44.3%) male and 128 (55.7%) female, participated in this study. The Mathematical Literacy Self-Efficacy scale and 21st Century Skills Efficiency Perceptions scale were used as data collection tools. Quantitative data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. The following measures were employed: Mathematical literacy self-efficacy positively affects perceptions of learning and innovation skills, mathematical literacy self-efficacy positively affects perceptions of life and career skills, and mathematical literacy self-efficacy affects perceptions of information-media and technology skills positively. The finding suggested that a significant and strong relationship was found between pre-service primary school teachers’ mathematical literacy efficacy and 21st century skills efficiency and its sub-categories.