Spatial abilities associated with open math problem solving

Abstract

Open math problem solving is critical to help students deepen the understanding and promote transfer of mathematics knowledge. However, the cognitive mechanism for open math problem solving, particularly the role of spatial abilities, has not been paid enough attention. This study recruited 192 junior middle school students (14.30 ± 0.48 years old). Results showed that both spatial visualisation (measured by paper folding) and spatial working memory (measured by spatial 2‐back) significantly associated with open math problem solving with controlled variables including age, sex, nonverbal matrix reasoning, and arithmetic principles. Moreover, spatial working memory was more associated with easy open math problem solving, while spatial visualisation more associated with difficult open math problem solving. These findings suggested that as the difficulty of open math problems increased, the construction of problem space mattered more than retaining and updating problem space in open math problem solving.

Penggunaan Concept Mapping Untuk Meningkatkan Prestasi Dan Motivasi Siswa Dalam Pembelajaran Matematika

“…Sehingga, kepemilikan pemahaman konseptual yang sangat baik dapat membantu siswa dalam memecahkan masalah matematika. Pemecahan masalah matematika sangat penting untuk membantu siswa memperdalam pemahaman mereka dan mempromosikan transfer pengetahuan matematika (L. Wang et al, 2022). Pembelajaran peta konsep dianggap sebagai alat pendidikan yang mempromosikan pembelajaran bermakna dan telah menunjukkan efek potensial dalam proses pembelajaran (Machado & Carvalho, 2020).…”

Taking a Closer Look: The Relationship between Pre-School Domain General Cognition and School Mathematics Achievement When Controlling for Intelligence

“…On the other hand, domain-general abilities and domain-specific knowledge are equally relevant for older grades. With a particular focus on the visual working memory, Wang et al (2022) demonstrate that the spatial working memory is involved in different ways depending on the degree of difficulty of open mathematical problems. Whereas the spatial working memory is rather associated with solving simple open mathematical problems, spatial visualization is linked to the solving of more difficult open mathematical problems.…”

Identifikasi Pertanyaan Yang Diajukan Mahasiswa dalam Memecahkan Masalah Matematika

“…Pemecahan masalah memberikan juga kesempatan bagi pelajar untuk memperluas pengetahuan dan menstimulus pelajar untuk belajar matematika (Ortiz, 2016). Karena itu, pemecahan masalah sangat penting untuk memperdalam pemahaman dan meningkatkan pengetahuan matematika siswa (Wang et al, 2022).…”