Analysis of the content of the physics book for the third intermediate grade in light of imaginative thinking skills

Abstract

The current research aims to: - Develop a content analysis tool for the third-year intermediate physics textbook, based on imaginative thinking skills. - Identify the extent to which the third-year intermediate physics textbook incorporates imaginative thinking skills. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher adopted a descriptive approach through the following: First objective: The researcher prepared an analysis tool based on imaginative thinking skills. Its validity was verified by presenting it to a group of experts and arbitrators in science teaching methods and specialized supervisors. The final component consisted of (3) main skills (retrieving mental images, mental transformation skills, and restructuring), (10) sub-skills, from which (30) indicators emerged. The validity and reliability of the analysis were verified through the researcher's own agreement over time and with external analysts. As for the second objective: The researcher analyzed the physics book for the third intermediate grade, prescribed for the academic year (2023-2024 AD), in light of imaginative thinking skills. The number of analyzed pages amounted to (174). The researcher relied on the idea unit (explicit, implicit) as the unit of analysis, recording, enumeration, and repetition. The results showed that the mental transformation skill achieved (869) repetitions, representing (48%), and ranked first. The mental image retrieval skill achieved (503) repetitions, representing (28%), and ranked second. The restructuring skill achieved (450) repetitions, representing (24%), and ranked third. The researcher recommended including imaginative thinking skills in intermediate school books in general and physics books in particular, and the necessity of activating, achieving balance, and observing consistency in the content of the physics book for the third intermediate grade.