The impact of problem-solving strategies on students learning some basic volleyball skills

Abstract

The rapid changes and emerging developments the world has witnessed in recent decades raise many questions about the future of human society. Problem-solving is a mental process in which individuals utilize all their existing knowledge, prior experiences, and skills, transforming the learner from a passive recipient to an active researcher. Furthermore, the close link between the effectiveness of educational strategies and student achievement necessitates that teachers innovate to keep pace with global quality standards. Physical education, like other subjects, requires diverse teaching methods and the application of these strategies, especially since they have already been implemented in theory. Herein lies the teacher's creativity in leveraging and demonstrating these methods in practical application, particularly in volleyball. Volleyball is an important activity that requires teachers to present it using innovative teaching methods to ensure improved skill performance among students. The research objectives are to identify the effectiveness of problem-solving strategies in teaching students the two volleyball skills of serving and receiving, and to compare the control and experimental groups in post-tests of these skills. The research methodology defines the current research population as fourth-grade preparatory students at Ur Preparatory School for Boys, affiliated with the Directorate of [Name of Directorate]. The Education Directorate of Dhi Qar Governorate/Nasiriyah District, for the academic year (2023-2024). The total population was (98) students, distributed across three classes: (A, B, and C). Second: The Research Sample: The researchers selected the research sample purposively, then divided it as follows: The pilot sample: (Class A) was chosen to conduct the pilot experiment. The experimental and control samples included (30) students from classes (B and C), with (15) students from each class. This sample represents (34.48%) of the original population. Using random selection, class (C) was chosen to represent the experimental group, which studied according to the "problem-solving strategy." Class (B) was chosen to represent the control group, which studied according to the "used method." As for the conclusions, the problem-solving strategy and the method used by the teacher played a positive role in teaching the students the skills of serving and receiving in volleyball. The experimental group, which applied the educational units according to the problem-solving strategy, outperformed the control group, which applied the used method, in learning the two skills. Serving and receiving in volleyball for students: The problem-solving strategy is one of the effective strategies in teaching the skills of serving and receiving in volleyball for students. As for the recommendations and the necessity of applying the educational curriculum with the problem-solving strategy in teaching the skills of serving and receiving in volleyball for students, it is necessary to work on the positive attitudes of the teaching staff, specifically the sports teachers, according to the innovations of different teaching strategies, including the problem-solving strategy, due to the positive results it achieves. It is necessary to conduct similar studies on other individual or team sports and age groups that were not covered by the current study for male and female students.                         .