The Evaluation of the Problem Solving in Mathematics Course According to Student Views

Abstract

Abstract. This study was conducted to determine the problem solving skills of the third grade students studying at the department of elementary school mathematics teaching. The study was conducted in the second semester of the academic year of 2015-2016. The study group consists of 47 third year student who study at Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Education Elementary School Mathematics Teaching ad take the selective course of Problem Solving in Mathematics. Within the scope of this course, the researchers explained subjects related to problem and problem solving, problem solving skills and solved problems during the first 4 weeks of the course. For the rest of the weeks, the students were divided into groups. They have solved two non-routine problems each week for 8 weeks. The method of study is the interview method, which is one of the qualitative research methods. In light of the retrieved findings, the answers given by the students have been thematized as the stages of problem solving, understanding the problem, implementing the problem, evaluation of the problem, reasons for taking the courses, association problems, ways of finding different solutions, development of procedural skills, creating formulas, mathematical thinking, use of mathematical language, suitability of the course, views on problem solving, and the contribution of the course.

The Difficulties of Prospective Elementary School Teachers in Item Problem Solving for Mathematics: Polya’s Steps

“…Problem-solving is a planned process that needs to be carried out in order to obtain a distinct solution of a problem, both for routine and non-routine problems (Dostál, 2015;Goldhammer et al, 2014). Problem-solving skills train students to figure out solutions of a particular problem-based issue in learning mathematics and finding appropriate solutions (Billstein, Libeskind, & Lott, 2016;Ersoy & Bal-Incebacak, 2017;Esan, 2015). It is a complex process, containing affective and behavioral processes, and is based on cognitive processes that are the result of finding a way out of difficulties and strategies to deal with obstacles (Clark, Cuthbert, Lewis-Fernández, Narrow, & Reed, 2017;Gaudiano, 2008).…”