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Guided problem solving at primary level : students’ strategies for solving challenging geometry problems
Author
Goh, Song Eng
Supervisor
Dindyal, Jaguthsing
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the various strategies used by Singapore primary students in solving challenging geometry problems. Specifically, the two research questions are:
1. What are the strategies used by Singapore primary four and five students to solve challenging geometry problems when they are appropriately guided?
2. To what extent do the strategies lead to productive solutions?
An instrument with four challenging geometry problems covering four main topics of geometry at primary level: length, angle, perimeter and area, was designed and developed. A total of thirty-six primary four and five students took part in the study. All the answer scripts were studied in detail to understand how the students were trying to solve the problems and to identify all the strategies used by them. All the strategies identified were examined to determine if they were used in a useful manner leading to a productive solution.
Findings from the data collected revealed a rich list of ten strategies used by students to solve challenging geometry problems: “draw auxiliary lines”, “draw diagrams”, “look for equal parts”, “look for known values”, “solve part of the problem”, “trace the changes”, “transfer unknowns”, “transform figures”, “use geometrical properties” and “use visual estimation”. Except for “use visual estimation”, students could use all the other nine strategies in a useful manner to solve the problems. There were about 40% of all strategies used in a useful manner leading to a productive solution.
1. What are the strategies used by Singapore primary four and five students to solve challenging geometry problems when they are appropriately guided?
2. To what extent do the strategies lead to productive solutions?
An instrument with four challenging geometry problems covering four main topics of geometry at primary level: length, angle, perimeter and area, was designed and developed. A total of thirty-six primary four and five students took part in the study. All the answer scripts were studied in detail to understand how the students were trying to solve the problems and to identify all the strategies used by them. All the strategies identified were examined to determine if they were used in a useful manner leading to a productive solution.
Findings from the data collected revealed a rich list of ten strategies used by students to solve challenging geometry problems: “draw auxiliary lines”, “draw diagrams”, “look for equal parts”, “look for known values”, “solve part of the problem”, “trace the changes”, “transfer unknowns”, “transform figures”, “use geometrical properties” and “use visual estimation”. Except for “use visual estimation”, students could use all the other nine strategies in a useful manner to solve the problems. There were about 40% of all strategies used in a useful manner leading to a productive solution.
Date Issued
2018
Call Number
QA462 Goh
Date Submitted
2018