English abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of advanced organizers on achievement and retention in the Biology subject among 11h grade female students of general education. The subjects of the study consisted of 77 female students at the 11th grade of general education from Dhahrah South Region. This sample group of the study was classified into two sub-groups. The first was a experimental group of 39 students, which studied the nerve system unit and sense organs using the advanced organizers strategy. The control group of 38 students studied the same unit in the traditional way. A multiple-choice test of 40 items was construed and piloted to check its validity. Test reliability was also checked using the Alpha Kronbak internal validity test. The reliability scale reached (79) which is considered suitable for research purposes. The study was conducted in the second semester of the academic year 2005/2006. The test was given to the sample group of the study immediately. The same test was also given to the same group three weeks later to check the learning retention. As far as learning outcomes are concerned, the test results have shown statistically significant differences in the achievement levels (recall, comprehension, and application) as well as in the overall mark among the experimental group. Regarding retention, the test results have also shown statistically significant differences in the achievement levels (recall, comprehension, and application) as well as in the overall mark among the experimental group. Moreover, the differences between the means of the trial group's marks in achievement and retention were worked out. The statistics has shown significant results for the retention of learning in the application level. However, when working out the same differences for the control group, there were no significant results. As a result this study recommends that the teachers of science and the students of the collage of educations must be trained and encouraged to use advanced organizers.
