scholarly journals Teaching Strategies for Mathematical Problem-Solving through the Lens of Secondary School Teachers

TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 743-750
Author(s):  
Afiqah Hamizah Noor Ishak ◽  
Sharifah Osman ◽  
Chiang Kok Wei ◽  
Dian Kurniati

Many studies have been conducted on problem-solving but only a small number of studies emphasized the strategies of teaching problem-solving. This paper explores the teaching strategies for mathematical problem-solving in a secondary school in Johor, Malaysia. It involves a qualitative study in which a semi-structured interview was conducted with mathematics teachers. Data were analyzed using a sixstep thematic analysis. The results can be viewed from three contexts of findings, namely the teaching strategies, the problems faced by teachers, and the solutions to overcome the problems. The findings revealed that there are teachers who have implemented personal teaching strategies, namely the Easy-Maths Model and the Cut-Stop-Solve Model to effectively teach mathematical problem-solving. The findings also explained some problems in teaching mathematical problem-solving, whereby students’ weaknesses in basic mathematics emerged as the main drawback. This study provides useful information to teachers on the different strategies for teaching mathematical problem-solving.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 793
Author(s):  
Manuel Santos-Trigo ◽  
Fernando Barrera-Mora ◽  
Matías Camacho-Machín

This study aims to document the extent to which the use of digital technology enhances and extends high school teachers’ problem-solving strategies when framing their teaching scenarios. The participants systematically relied on online developments such as Wikipedia to contextualize problem statements or to review involved concepts. Likewise, they activated GeoGebra’s affordances to construct and explore dynamic models of tasks. The Apollonius problem is used to illustrate and discuss how the participants contextualized the task and relied on technology affordances to construct and explore problems’ dynamic models. As a result, they exhibited and extended the domain of several problem-solving strategies including the use of simpler cases, dragging orderly objects, measuring objects attributes, and finding loci of some objects that shaped their approached to reasoning and solve problems.



Author(s):  
Olive Chapman

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the knowledge teachers ought to hold for teaching mathematics. Teachers need to hold knowledge of mathematical problem solving for themselves as problem solvers and to help students to become better problem solvers. Thus, a teacher’s knowledge of and for teaching problem solving must be broader than general ability in problem solving. In this article a category-based perspective is used to discuss the types of knowledge that should be included in mathematical problem-solving knowledge for teaching. In particular, what do teachers need to know to teach for problem-solving proficiency? This question is addressed based on a review of the research literature on problem solving in mathematics education. The article discusses the perspective of problem-solving proficiency that framed the review and the findings regarding six categories of knowledge that teachers ought to hold to support students’ development of problem-solving proficiency. It concludes that mathematics problem-solving knowledge for teaching is a complex network of interdependent knowledge. Understanding this interdependence is important to help teachers to hold mathematical problem-solving knowledge for teaching so that it is usable in a meaningful and effective way in supporting problem-solving proficiency in their teaching. The perspective of mathematical problem-solving knowledge for teaching presented in this article can be built on to provide a framework of key knowledge mathematics teachers ought to hold to inform practice-based investigation of it and the design and investigation of learning experiences to help teachers to understand and develop the mathematics knowledge they need to teach for problem-solving proficiency.



Author(s):  
William Enrique Poveda Fernández

RESUMENEn este artículo se analizan y discuten las ventajas y oportunidades que ofrece GeoGebra durante el proceso de resolución de problemas. En particular, se analizan y documentan las formas de razonamiento matemático exhibidas por ocho profesores de enseñanza secundaria de Costa Rica, relacionadas con la adquisición y el desarrollo de estrategias de resolución de problemas asociadas con el uso de GeoGebra. Para ello, se elaboró una propuesta de trabajo que comprende la construcción y la exploración de una representación del problema, y la formulación y la validación de conjeturas. Los resultados muestran que los profesores hicieron varias representaciones del problema, examinaron las propiedades y los atributos de los objetos matemáticos involucrados, realizaron conjeturas sobre las relaciones entre tales objetos, buscaron diferentes formas de comprobarlas basados en argumentos visuales y empíricos que proporciona GeoGebra. En general, los profesores usaron estrategias de medición de atributos de los objetos matemáticos y de examinación del rastro que deja un punto mientras se arrastra.Palabras claves: GeoGebra; Resolución de problemas; pensamiento matemático. RESUMOEste artigo analisa e discute as vantagens e oportunidades oferecidas pelo GeoGebra durante o processo de resolução de problemas. Em particular, as formas de raciocínio matemático exibidas por oito professores do ensino médio da Costa Rica, relacionadas à aquisição e desenvolvimento de estratégias de resolução de problemas associadas ao uso do GeoGebra, são analisadas e documentadas. Para isso, foi elaborada uma proposta de trabalho que inclui a construção e exploração de uma representação do problema, e a formulação e validação de conjecturas. Os resultados mostram que os professores fizeram várias representações do problema, examinaram as propriedades e atributos dos objetos matemáticos envolvidos, fizeram conjecturas sobre as relações entre esses objetos e procuraram diferentes formas de os verificar com base em argumentos visuais e empíricos fornecidos pelo GeoGebra. Em geral, os professores utilizaram estratégias para medir os atributos dos objetos matemáticos e para examinar o rasto que um ponto deixa enquanto é arrastado.Palavras-chave: GeoGebra; Resolução de problemas; pensamento matemático. ABSTRACTThis article analyzes and discusses the advantages and opportunities offered by GeoGebra during the problem-solving process. In particular, the mathematical reasoning forms exhibited by eight secondary school teachers in Costa Rica, related to the acquisition and development of problem solving strategies associated with the use of GeoGebra, are analyzed and documented. The proposal was developed that includes the elements: construction and exploration of a representation of the problem and formulation and validation of conjectures. The results show that teachers made several representations of the problem, examined the properties and attributes of the mathematical objects involved, made conjectures about the relationships between such objects, and sought different ways to check them based on visual and empirical arguments provided by GeoGebra. In general, the teachers used strategies to measure the attributes of the mathematical objects and to examine the trail that a point leaves while it is being dragged.Keywords: GeoGebra; Problem Solving; Mathematical Thinking.



1991 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Larry Hoehn

Problem solving received dramatic emphasis throughout the 1980s. However, its necessary counterpart, problem posing, has received scant attention. Some notable exceptions are the works of Brown and Walter (1983), Klamkin (1986), and, of course, Polya (1973). In this article a typical geometry theorem is used and problems are posed involving its application. The methods presented here work well to create geometry test questions, geometry contest problems, and calendar problems for the Mathematics Teacher. Although these methods are intended primarily for secondary school teachers, creative geometry students could use them for making their own mathematical discoveries.



F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Oluwaseyi Abiodun Akpor ◽  
Gloria Thupayagale-Tshweneagae

Background: Teenage pregnancy has been regarded as a negative occurrence in recent times due to its various negative consequences on the overall wellbeing of the teenage mother and her child, the whole family system and the entire community at large. Teenage pregnancy rate is a powerful indicator of the total well-being of a population. Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore professional nurses and secondary school teachers’ own perspectives on teenage pregnancy and to ascertain the current teenage pregnancy prevention programmes within the two selected communities in Kwara and Edo states in Nigeria. Methods: The study was qualitative and contextual with an exploratory strategy. A total of 80 participants, who were professional nurses and secondary school teachers, responded to the semi-structured interview and completed a questionnaire on demographic data. Template analysis style was combined with content analysis for data analysis. Results: Our findings revealed limited teenage pregnancy prevention initiatives in the communities. The majority of the participants expressed that teenage pregnancy is a common occurrence in their communities, but it is not acceptable. More than half of the participants did not accept the usage of contraceptives by teenagers. Conclusions: The study identified a number of factors that may influence the rate of teenage pregnancy in the communities. Therefore, strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy should focus on building social capital for teenagers in communities, making information on contraception more accessible and offering programmes that empower girls in the area of sexuality.



Author(s):  
Aline Dorimana ◽  
Alphonse Uworwabayeho ◽  
Gabriel Nizeyimana

This study explored teachers' beliefs about mathematical problem-solving. It involved 36 identified teachers of Kayonza District in Rwanda via an explanatory mixed-method approach. The findings indicate that most teachers show a positive attitude towards advancing problem-solving in the mathematics classroom. However, they expose different views on its implementation. Role of problem-solving, Mathematical problems, and Problem-solving in Mathematics were identified as main themes. Problem-solving was highlighted as an approach that helps teachers use time adequately and helps students develop critical thinking and reasoning that enable them to face challenges in real life. The study recommends teacher professional development initiatives with their capacity to bring problem-solving to standard.



2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
N.S. Mumthas ◽  
Shyma Usman Abdulla

Physics and Mathematics are two deeply interlinked domains of Science. Mathematics is considered as the language in which the Physics theories are built by employing mathematical symbols and operations to make equations and representations in the world of Physics completely meaningful. In spite of being the backbone of Physics, the use of Mathematics principles and operations in Physics is the root cause of most of the issues and hassles aroused among students who learn Physics. This is an investigation on the substandard performance in mathematical problem solving in Physics among higher secondary school students by looking into the responses of teachers and students. The responses obtained from 21 higher secondary Physics teachers through questionnaire were studied using percentage analysis and the four major categories of ‘Difficulties in Mathematical Problem Solving in Physics’ faced by students viz., ‘Creating or Identifying the Formula’, ‘Extracting Information from Diagrams’, ‘Using Physics Concepts to Create Schematic Diagrams’ and ‘Application of Mathematics’ to solve Physics problems. were identified, The investigators used ‘Test on Mathematical Problem Solving in Physics’ with 40 multiple choice questions on select basic topics from ‘Motion’, which was informed by the Physics teachers to be one of the strenuous concepts for students while solving problems. The extent of each category of difficulty in the respective topics based on the students’ responses in the test was studied to rank them. This study also highlights some suggestions for improving the teaching and learning of mathematical problems in Physics at higher secondary level.



2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-397
Author(s):  
Jianhua Luo ◽  
Gift Muyunda

Curriculum Development in Zambia is highly centralized, with the Curriculum Development Center (CDC) being charged with developing the curriculum through consultative and participatory approaches through the course and subject panels where teachers are engaged. Nevertheless, there has been no empirical evidence to show how teachers are actively involved in the development process. This study aimed to investigate the phenomenon of teachers' involvement in the curriculum development process in Zambia. This study was qualitative and used a case study design approach. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide from secondary school teachers and headteachers. Raw data were collected through semi-structured interview forms from secondary school teachers and headteachers. The researcher analyzed the data using MAXQDA qualitative software to identify initial codes and generate emerging themes quickly. The results showed that secondary school teachers were dissatisfied with the present way of curriculum development, which insignificantly neglects them, and also, the majority of them have never participated in the development of the curriculum. Further, the results revealed that most of the secondary school teachers in Lusaka were willing to participate at any stage of the curriculum development in Zambia. This study concludes by arguing that secondary school teachers are significantly neglected to participate in the curriculum development in Zambia and recommends that the Ministry of General Education (MoGE) broaden the scope of secondary school teachers' participation in the curriculum developed through the Curriculum Development Center (CDC).



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