Sare Asli 1,2, Naji Kortam 3
, Shafea Algamal 4
, Najwa Sheme 3
, Muhamad Hugerat 2,3,4*
1 Al-Qasemi Academic College, Baka El-Garbiah, ISRAEL 2 The Institute of Science Education, The Galilee Society, Shefar-Am, ISRAEL
3 The Academic Arab College for Education in Israel, Haifa, ISRAEL
4 Ministry of Education, Jerusalem, ISRAEL
Received 3 January 2021 ▪ Accepted 18 February 2021
Abstract
This study examined Arab high-school students’ decision-making ability (their cognitive level)
regarding a sea turtle conservation issue in relation to three independent variables: the proximity
of their residence to the sea, the type of residence (city or village), and their gender. The study
population consisted of tenth-grade students in high schools from the Arab sector: from urban
localities, rural localities, localities close to the sea, and localities far from the sea.
The main findings of the study are as follows: (1) The average Arab student’s decision-making
ability is low. Most Arab students were found to have a low cognitive level. (2) A clear difference
exists between students from localities close to the sea and those far from the sea. Students from
localities close to the sea had greater decision-making ability. (3) A clear difference exists between
students from urban localities and those from rural localities. Students from urban areas had more
decision-making ability. A significant difference exists between boys and girls: girls had more
decision-making ability.
The main conclusion from the study is that the cognitive level of Arab students’ decision-making
ability in the context of sea turtle conservation is low. This finding indicates that traditional
teaching in the Arab education system does not promote, develop, and improve this ability. Most
of the time the teacher asks questions and is situated in the center of the activity. Students noted
that their teachers tend to involve them in lessons, but not enough in class discussions.
Keywords: decision-making ability, 10th grade students, sea turtle conservation, Arab community
in Israel
The Decision-Making Ability of 10th Grade Students in an Arab Community in Israel to Preserve Sea
