EFFECTIVENESS OF PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING MATHEMATICS TO RURAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Mrs. A. Kalaiarasi; Dr. S. Mohan; Dr. M. Parimala Fathima

Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2016

EFFECTIVENESS OF PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING MATHEMATICS TO RURAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Mrs. A. Kalaiarasi, Dr. S. Mohan, Dr. M. Parimala Fathima

Abstract :

The present study highlights the effectiveness of problem solving strategies for learning mathematics to rural high school students. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of how the teaching of problem solving strategies and strategy thinking in mathematics can be organized in a regular classroom setting and how this affects rural students� learning in mathematics. We start by discussing the nature of the concept of strategy in relation to the concepts of method and algorithm. After administering problem solving strategies were implemented for period of one month. Using pre and post tests, we compare the development of the students� conceptual and procedural abilities with a control group. In addition, we use the post test to investigate the students� use of problem solving strategies. The results suggest that these activities improve students� ability to use problem solving strategies. Moreover, significant differences were found in conceptual and procedural abilities in mathematics, the experimental group improving more than the control group.