Further, two alternative forms of teaching with modelling problems were compared with
each other. The data analyses show that the student-oriented, “operative-strategic” form of
teaching tended to have stronger effects on students’ enjoyment, value, interest and self -efficacy,
as compared with “directive” teaching. These results correspond to findings of
previous studies that investigated student- oriented and teacher-oriented forms of teaching
and learning. Cooperative learning environments, like the “operative-strategic” one applied
in this study, have often had a positive influence on students’ affect (Slavin et al., 2003; Webb & Palincsar, 1996). Significant advantages of the “operative-strategic” teaching method were found especially regarding interest and enjoyment in modelling problems.
It seems that enjoyment and interest really profit from the divergent solution structure of modelling problems. So student-centred teaching methods seem to be better suited to
improve both students’ achievements (Schukajlow et al., 2009) and their affect while
dealing with modelling problems.