Teacher Strategies for Students Solving Word Problems
Teacher Strategies for Students Solving Word Problems
Word problems are an essential part in today's mathematics curricula. Students are being asked to apply their knowledge of the meaning to mathematics concepts instead of assessing them on basic computation. There are a few teaching strategies that can be applied to assist those students struggling with solving word problems.
Metacognition
Metacognitive skills is strategies to build awareness and monitoring of one's own learning. This ability to understand how one learns and reflect on their understand plays a profound part in the ability to properly problem solve. Proper training in these skills is the most effective method to assist children in developing their metacognition (Pennequin, 2010, p.199). Training involves improving general awareness, regulation and self-knowledge, and providing an environment that promotes such abilities. This diagram illustrates the process of problem solving.
- Awareness-the knowledge of thinking. There are three parts to this: Declarative knowledge, Procedural knowledge, and Conditional knowledge. Declarative knowledge involves knowing about one's skills, resources, and abilities as a learner. Procedural knowledge means the ability to apply learning strategies. Conditional knowledge involves knowing when and why to use specific strategies.
- Planning-ability to planning your method to solving the problem, setting goals, and putting together your resources.
- Monitoring-ability to assess one's learning and use of strategy.
- Cognitive strategies-ability to analyze your work.
This video will further provide you with more information about the importance of metacognition.
Metacognition Video[1]
Scaffolding
Scaffolding plays an integral part in training students to solve word problems. Breaking apart solutions to simple steps will develop students' ability to analyze word problems. Students will begin to understand important parts to the problem and can solve the problem independently. Beginning with questioning and modeling will provide students with the sense of ownership and guide their through these analogical skills. As students begin to understand the process then students will gain more responsibilities. Explain their their solution will become easier for students because they will recall the steps to solving the problem.
In Kajamies 2010 article on low achievers and mathematical problems solving, shows a model of skillful problem solving for students to follow.
Assignment #2
You will be creating a lesson teaching students on how to solve word problems by the end of this course. Write a learning objective and motivation for your lesson utilizing the information in regards to teacher strategies.