Arithmetic word problem solving. Are authentic word problems easier to solve than standard ones? / Resolución de problemas aritméticos verbales. ¿Se resuelven mejor si se presentan como problemas auténticos?

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Vicente ◽  
Eva Manchado
Author(s):  
Catherine Thevenot ◽  
Pierre Barrouillet

Arithmetic word problem solving is considered as a testing ground of mathematical achievement, but remains the area of mathematics in which students experience the greatest difficulties. In this chapter, we review recent theoretical and empirical work that could shed light on these difficulties. We first describe the most frequently used classifications of word problems and assess their psychological relevance. Then, we present the main hypotheses concerning the nature of the representations involved in word problems. Some theories assume that problem solving relies on the instantiation of schemas abstracted from recurrently encountered problems of the same relational structure, whereas other theories propose that ad hoc transient mental representations are constructed for each problem encountered. A third part is devoted to the impact of individual differences in calculation, reading comprehension, and more general factors, such as working memory capacity. Finally, we address the issue of enhancing performance in word problem solving.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105345122110475
Author(s):  
Bradley Witzel ◽  
Jonté A. Myers ◽  
Yan Ping Xin

State exams frequently use word problems to measure mathematics performance making difficulties with word problem solving a barrier for many students with learning disabilities (LD) in mathematics. Based on meta-analytic data from students with LD, five empirically validated word-problem strategies are presented with components of model-based problem solving (MBPS) highlighted.


ZDM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Csaba Csíkos ◽  
Judit Szitányi

AbstractThis research addressed Hungarian pre-service and in-service (both elementary and lower secondary) teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge concerning the teaching of word problem solving strategies. By means of a standardized interview protocol, participants (N = 30) were asked about their judgement on the difficulty of teaching word problems, the factors they find difficult, and their current teaching practice. Furthermore, based on a comparative analysis of Eastern European textbooks, we tested how teachers’ current beliefs and views relate to the word problem solving algorithm described in elementary textbooks. The results suggest that in the teachers’ opinion, explicit teaching of a step-by-step algorithm is feasible and desirable as early as in the 1st school grade. According to our results, two approaches (namely, paradigmatic- and narrative-oriented) concerning how to teach the process of word problems solving, originally revealed by Chapman, were found. Furthermore, teachers in general agreed with the approach taken in the textbooks on the subject of what kinds of word problems should be used, and that explicit teaching of word problem solving strategies should be introduced by using simple, routine word problems as examples.


Author(s):  
Rafael Cabezuelo Vivo ◽  
Víctor Pavón

The purpose of this study is to investigate to what extent the use of L2 in math tests influences bilingual education learners’ process of word problem solving in a mandatory secondary education school with Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). The reading comprehension level of the students was analysed using a standards-based assessment and the questions used in Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests. The word problems were selected according to the students’ level of reading-comprehension and mathematical competence. Leaners also had to answer a questionnaire, which was used to analyse if contextual factors were affecting mathematical performance in L2. To this end, the questionnaire included some questions related to the bilingual history of the students and their perception about solving word problems in English. Data were analysed through one-way or two-way ANOVA tests to find out which factors were relevant. Results show that solving word problems is not only affected by the use of L2, but that it also depends on the mathematical difficulty, irrespective of the students’ level of language proficiency. The findings, hence, imply that interaction between linguistic difficulty and mathematical complexity is at the centre of the issues affecting word problem solving.


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