Why does problem-oriented mathematics education not succeed in an eighth grade? An insight in an empirical study

Based on current research findings on the possibilities of integration of problem solving into mathematics teaching, the difficulties of pupils with problem solving tasks and of teachers to get started in problem solving, this article would like to show which concrete difficulties delayed the start of the implementation of a generally problem-oriented mathematics lesson in an eighth grade of a grammar school. The article briefly describes the research method of this qualitative study and identifies and discusses the difficulties of problem solving in the examined school class. In a next step, the results of this study are used to conceive a precise teaching concept for this specific class for the introduction into problem-oriented mathematics teaching.

How to promote learning in problem-solving?

This article is based on my plenary talk at the joint conference of ProMath and the GDM working group on problem-solving in 2018. The aim of this article is to consider teaching and learning problem-solving from different perspectives taking into account the connection between 1) teacher’s actions and pupils’ solutions and 2) teacher’s actions and pupils’ affective reactions. Safe and supportive emotional atmosphere is base for students’ learning and attitudes towards mathematics. Teacher has a central role both in constructing emotional atmosphere and in offering cognitive support that pupils need in order to reach higher-level solutions. Teachers need to use activating guidance, i.e., ask good questions based on pupils’ solutions. Balancing between too much and too little guidance is not easy.

Methodology in implementation research on problem solving in school settings

In this report, a summary is given on the contents of the workshop. In particular, the methodology and some ethical questions in implementation research on problem solving in school settings are discussed. The discussion showed how complex this theme is so that many additional questions emerged.

Self-generated representations as heuristic tools for solving word problem

Solving non-routine word problems is a challenge for many primary school students. A training program was therefore developed to help third-grade students to find solutions to word problems by constructing external representations (e.g., sketches, tables) and to specifically use them. The objective was to find out whether the program positively influences students’ problemsolving success and problem-solving skills. The findings revealed significant differences between trained and untrained classes. Therefore, it can be assumed that self-generated representations are heuristic tools that help students solve word problems. This paper presents the results on the impact of the training program on the learning outcome of students.

Learning algebraic procedures through problem solving

In this paper, I attempt to present several examples of tasks and some relevant findings that investigate the possibility of basing a part of the practice-oriented tasks on higher-level thinking skills, that are usually associated with processes of problem solving. The tasks presented and analysed here integrate problem solving-components – namely, reversed thinking, expressing and analysing patterns, and employing multiple solution methods, into the learning and practicing of algebraic procedures – such as creating equivalent expressions and solving equations.

Adaptive teaching interventions in collaborative problem-solving processes

Even though there exists limited knowledge on how exactly students acquire problem-solving competences, researchers agree that adaptive teaching interventions have the potential to support students‘ autonomous problem-solving processes. However, most recent research aims at analyzing the characteristics of teaching interventions rather than the interventions’ effects on the students’ problem-solving process. The study in this paper addresses this research gap by focusing not only on the teaching interventions themselves, but also on the students’ collaborative problem-solving processes just before and just after the interventions. The aim of the study is to analyze the interventions‘ effect on the learners’ integrated problem-solving processes.

Implementing problem solving in mathematics classes

There is little evidence of teachers are using challenging problems in their mathematics classes in Hungary. At the University of Debrecen and University of Nyíregyháza, we elaborated a professional development program for inservice teachers in order to help them implementing problem solving in their classes. The basis of our program is the teacher and researcher collaboration in the lessonplanning and evaluation. In this paper we report some preliminary findings concerning this program.

The role of problem solving in school mathematics

In this report of a workshop held at the 2018 ProMath conference, a summary is given of the contents of the workshop. In particular, the role of problem solving in regular mathematics teaching was discussed (problem solving as a goal vs. as a method of teaching), with implications regarding the selection of problems, its implementation into (written) exams as well as teacher proficiency that is needed for implementing problem solving into mathematics teaching.

The role of protagonists in implementing research on problem solving in school practice

Based on seminal works of Pólya (1945) and Schoenfeld (1985), problem solving has become a major focus of mathematics education research. Even though there exists a variety of recent research on problem solving in schools, the research results do not have a direct impact on problem solving in school practice. Instead, a dissemination of research results by integrating different protagonists is necessary. Within our working group, the roles of three different protagonists involved in implementing research on problem solving in school practice were discussed, namely researchers, pre-service, and in-service teachers, by examining the following discussion question: To what extent do the different protagonists enable implementation of research findings on problem solving in school practice?

Problem solving teaching with hearing and hearing-impaired students

In the last decade the concept of inclusion has become more and more prevalent in mathematics education, especially in Germany. Accordingly, teachers in mathematics classrooms have to face a wide range of heterogeneity, which includes physical, sensory and mental disabilities. At the Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, within the framework of the project “Media in mathematics education” it is examined how new technologies can support teaching in inclusive mathematics classrooms. In the academic year 2017/18, the heterogeneity regarding hearing impairment was mainly focussed on. Based on a small case study with hearing and hearing-impaired students a problem-solving unit about tangent lines was worked out according to Pólya, which is presented in the paper.