Home⇛Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal⇛vol. 15 no. 6 (2023)

CORRELATES OF PROBLEM-SOLVING DIFFICULTIES AMONG IBARRA NHS LEARNERS: TOWARDS AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROJECT IMPACT

Julius R. Garzon

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

Solving mathematical problems poses a significant difficulty for learners in the process of acquiring mathematical knowledge. Hence, teaching and developing this skill in learners proves to be a challenging task due to various factors. Employing a descriptive correlational design, this research seeks to identify factors that correlate problem-solving difficulties among 375 Junior High School (JHS) students at Ibarra NHS, Philippines during the 2021-2022 academic year. The findings offer insights into a potential intervention called Project IMPACT (Intensify Mathematical Problem-based Activities through Collaborative Techniques). Results indicated that a majority of students exhibited below average performance in problem-solving, primarily attributed to a limited grasp and comprehension of the underlying concepts. The learners perceived all fundamental problems in the test as 'very difficult' at their grade level. Additionally, respondents concurred that factors related to students, teachers, and schools impacted their problem-solving abilities, as evidenced by the significant correlation between these factors and the difficulties encountered in problem-solving. In conclusion, this study asserts that both the performance and difficulties in problem-solving are influenced by factors associated with students, teachers, and schools. Thus, the proposed Project IMPACT emerges as a pertinent, timely, and necessity-driven intervention aimed at addressing the hurdles in problem-solving faced by learners.



References:

  1. Alvaera, A. & Bayan, M. & Martinez, D. (2009). Teaching Approach, perceived parental involvement and autonomy  as predictors of achievement. The International Journal of Research and Review, Vol.1
  2. Bahar, A., & Maker, C. J. (2015). Cognitive Backgrounds of Problem Solving: A Comparison of Open-ended vs. Closed Mathematics Problems. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 11(6), 1531–1546.
  3. Bigornia, E. C.(2000). Factors affecting mathematics proficiency level of grade Six pupils of Kauswagan District, Division of Lanao del Norte SY 1998-1999. Unpublished master's thesis, MSU-IIT, School of Graduate Studies
  4. Boulter, L. T. (2002). Self-concept as a predictor of college freshmen academic adjustment. College Student Journal
  5. Caliao, A.B. (2000). Factors associated with the ability of the grade VI pupils of Tubod east and west districts to solve problems in mathematics. (Masteral thesis, MSU-IIT, 2002) Abstract retrieved (October 29, 2011) from MSU-IIT School of Graduate Studies Research Bibliography.
  6. Cañete, O. C. (2002). Factors affecting problem solving skills among grade VI pupils of Linamon District. . Unpublished master's thesis, MSU-IIT, School of Graduate Studies. lligan City.
  7. Foshay, R., & Kirkley, J. (2003). Principles for Teaching Problem Solving. Plato Learning.
  8. Garnett, K. G. (1998). Maths Learning Disabilities. Journal of CEC. Retrieved on 3rd Feb 2009 from http://www.idonline.org/ld_indepth/math_skill/garnet.html
  9. Goldstein F. C., & Levin H. S. (1987). Disorders of reasoning and problem-solving ability. In M. Meier, A. Benton, & L. Diller (Eds.), Neuropsychological rehabilitation. London: Taylor & Francis Group.
  10. Jonassen, D. (2010). Research issues in problem solving. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Education Research, 1-10.
  11. Kostovsky, K. (2003). Problem solving—large/small, hard/easy, conscious/nonconscious,problem-space/problem-
  12. solver. In J. Davidson & R. Sternberg (Eds.), The psychologyof problem solving (pp. 373-383). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press
  13. Kroll, D.L & Miller, T. (1993). Insights from research on mathematical problem-solving in the middle grades.
  14. In D.T. Owens, Ed. Research ideas  for the classroom: middles grades mathematics. N.Y.: McMillan Publ. Co.
  15. Leongson, J. & Limjap, A. (2003). Assessing the mathematics achievement of college freshmen using Piaget’s logical operations. Conference Proceedings of the Hawaii International Conference on Education.
  16. Lee, T. Y. (2001). Problem solving in calculus. Unpublished Postgraduate Diploma Dissertation, Nanyang  Technological University, Singapore.
  17. Lesh, R., & Zawojewski, J. (2007). Problem-solving and modeling. In F. Lester (Ed.), Second  handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning (pp. 763-804). Reston, VA: NCTM.
  18. Lester, F. K., & Kehle, P. E. (2003). From problem solving to modeling: the evolution of thinking about research on complex mathematical activity. In: R. Lesh, & H. Doer (Eds.), Beyond constructivism. Models and modeling perspectives on mathematics problem solving, learning, and teaching (pp. 501–517). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.
  19. Lovett, M.C. (2002). Problem solving. In D. Medin & H. Pashler (Eds.), Stevens’ handbook of experimenta psychology: Memory and cognitive processes (pp. 317-362). New York:john Wiley & Sons, Inc
  20. Mohd, N., Mahmood, T., & Mohd N. I. (2011). Factors that Influence Students in Mathematics Achievement International Journal of Academic Research. Vo/.3.No. 3.
  21. Paton, R. (2010). Making problem-solving in engineering-mechanics visible to first-year engineering  students. Australasian Journal of Engineering Education,16(2), 123-137.
  22. Riordain, M., O’Donoghue, J. (2009). The relationship between performance on mathematical word problems and language proficiency for students learning through the medium of Irish. Educ Stud Math, 71, 43-64.
  23. Silao, I.V. (2018). Factors Affecting the Mathematics Problem Solving Skills of Filipino Pupils.  International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 8, Issue 2,
  24. Scott, F.J. (2016). An investigation into students’ difficulties in numerical problem solving questions in high school biology using a numeracy framework. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education Vol. 4, No. 2, 2016, 115‐128
  25. Silva, D.L., Tadeo, M.C., De Los Reyes, C.V., & Dadigan, R.M. (2006). Factors associated with Non-performing Filipino students in Mathematics. Mathematics Center for Research and Development. Mapua Institute of Technology. Philippines
  26. Steif, P. & Dantzler, J. (2005). A statics concept inventory: development and psychometric analysis. Journal of Engineering Education,33, 363-371.
  27. Steif P., Lobue, J., Kara, L., & Fay, A. (2010). Improving problem solving performance by inducing talk about salient problem features. Journal of Engineering Education, 99, 135-142.
  28. Tambychik, T., & Meerah, T.S. (2010). Students’ Difficulties in Mathematics Problem-Solving:What  do they Say. International Conference on Mathematics Education Research, 8, 142–151
  29. Ulu, M. (2017). The Effect of Reading Comprehension and Problem Solving Strategies on Classifying  Elementary 4th Grade Students with High and Low Problem Solving Success. Journal of Education and Training Studies Vol. 5, No. 6;
  30. Wait, I.W., & Gressel, J.W. (2009). Relationship between TOEFL score and academic success for international engineering students. Journal of Engineering Education, 98, 389-398.
  31. Wieth, M., & Zacks, R. (2011). Time of day effects on problem solving: When the nonoptimal is optimal. Thinking  & Reasoning, 17(4), 387-401.

Tools


Copyright © 2024  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic