Question Design Affects Students' Sense‐Making on Mathematics Word Problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick K. Kirkland ◽  
Nicole M. McNeil
Keyword(s):  
Word Problems ◽  
Sense Making ◽  
Mathematics Word Problems

scholarly journals Students’ suspension of sense making in problem solving

ZDM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Carotenuto ◽  
Pietro Di Martino ◽  
Marta Lemmi
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Word Problem ◽  
Word Problems ◽  
Mathematical Problem ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Mathematical Problem Solving ◽  
Sense Making ◽  
Mathematical Problems

AbstractResearch on mathematical problem solving has a long tradition: retracing its fascinating story sheds light on its intricacies and, therefore, on its needs. When we analyze this impressive literature, a critical issue emerges clearly, namely, the presence of words and expressions having many and sometimes opposite meanings. Significant examples are the terms ‘realistic’ and ‘modeling’ associated with word problems in school. Understanding how these terms are used is important in research, because this issue relates to the design of several studies and to the interpretation of a large number of phenomena, such as the well-known phenomenon of students’ suspension of sense making when they solve mathematical problems. In order to deepen our understanding of this phenomenon, we describe a large empirical and qualitative study focused on the effects of variations in the presentation (text, picture, format) of word problems on students’ approaches to these problems. The results of our study show that the phenomenon of suspension of sense making is more precisely a phenomenon of activation of alternative kinds of sense making: the different kinds of active sense making appear to be strongly affected by the presentation of the word problem.

scholarly journals An exploration of the teaching and learning of mathematics word problems in English to second language grade 8 learners in the Mafukuzela-Gandhi Circuit

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Annaleah Pooran
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Strategies ◽  
Word Problems ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
National Language ◽  
Class Discussion ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Mathematics Word Problems ◽  
Mathematics Educators ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
Grade 8

The abolition of apartheid in South Africa in the late 1980s and the advent of democracy in 1994 resulted in dramatic changes in the education system. Of great significance to this study is the freedom African parents were allowed in choosing the medium of instruction to be used at schools. Surprisingly African parents encouraged their children to study through the medium of English mainly due to the education and employment opportunities English will provide them in the future (Mda, 1997). Now, seventeen years into democracy, English as a national language and the preferred medium of instruction has been blamed for poor results among ESL learners (Moreosole, 1998). Taylor, Muller and Vinjevold (2003: 54) point out that the difficulties associated with studying in a language other than one’s home language are more pronounced in mathematics, a subject which is strongly dependent on technical language proficiency. A section in the Grade 8 mathematics syllabus that is generally problematic for ESL learners is that of word problems (Wetzel, 2008). This is because ESL learners lack the language and reading skills needed to comprehend word problems, and the listening skills required to understand the educator’s explanation of the solution (Crandall, Dale, Rhodes and Spanos, 1985). To address the aims and objectives of this study, relevant literature was reviewed and various teaching strategies were examined to determine which strategies may be most effective in helping ESL learners solve word problems. Grounded within the Constructivist Learning Theory, this study was based on Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development and Bruner’s concept of scaffolding. Using a mixed methods approach, this study investigated problems that mathematics educators and ESL learners experience in the teaching and learning of word problems through the medium of English, and also identified strategies that mathematics educators use to teach word problems to ESL learners. iv Analysis of the educator questionnaire and the focus group interviews with learners revealed that ESL learners are experiencing difficulty solving word problems in English and educators are, to a large extent, adapting their teaching strategies when teaching them. The data also indicated that groupwork was considered by the majority of educators to be the most suitable method in the teaching of word problems to ESL learners, but sadly this method was used less frequently compared to whole class discussion and individual work due to discipline problems, the educators’ inability to handle group dynamics and the tendency for learners not to contribute to the group discussion. The findings also suggest that it is necessary for the educator to use a variety of teaching strategies to ensure that ESL learners enjoy success in mathematics. Based on the findings, this study makes recommendations regarding the teaching and learning of word problems and the use of adapted teaching strategies to foster active participation in lessons and group discussions, thereby increasing learner confidence and aiding in the understanding of English terminology used in mathematics word problems.

Students' English Language Abilities in Solving Mathematics Word Problems

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hj Mohammad Hairol Azaman Hj Pungut ◽  
Masitah Shahrill
Keyword(s):  
Word Problems ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Mathematics Word Problems
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