The Effect of Divergent Thinking Strategy on Improving Visual Processing Speed and the Performance and Accuracy of the Underhand Serve in Volleyball for Female Students

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the effect of divergent thinking strategy on improving visual processing speed in volleyball for female students, and to identify the effect of this strategy on improving the performance and accuracy of the underhand serve in volleyball for female students. The experimental research methodology was adopted, employing a two-group design (experimental and control). The population consisted of 54 fifth-grade female students from Al-Farouq Preparatory School for Girls, within the Baghdad Al-Karkh 1 Directorate of Education, for the academic year (2023/2024). A random sample of 40 students was selected from this group. (74.074%) of this population participated. After determining the tests for each of the three dependent variables, (6) practical volleyball lessons were prepared and implemented with the experimental group of students. This followed preparatory steps, role assignments, and the main part of the lesson dedicated to applying the educational exercises using the researched strategy. Following the completion of the research experiment, the results were analyzed using SPSS. The conclusions and recommendations are that preparing educational exercises using the divergent thinking strategy in practical volleyball lessons is suitable for fifth-grade preparatory students. Furthermore, applying these educational exercises in practical volleyball lessons helps improve visual processing speed, enhances the performance of the underhand serve in volleyball, and improves the accuracy of the underhand serve in volleyball among students who study this strategy, outperforming students who do not.