The Use of Problem-Solving Heuristics Approach in Enhancing STEM Students Development of Mathematical Thinking

Autor/inn/en	Singh, Parmjit; Teoh, Sian Hoon; Cheong, Tau Han; Rasid, Nor Syazwani Md; Kor, Liew Kee; Nasir, Nurul Akmal Md
Titel	The Use of Problem-Solving Heuristics Approach in Enhancing STEM Students Development of Mathematical Thinking
Quelle	In: International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 13 (2018) 3, S.289-303 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1306-3030
Schlagwörter	Problem Solving; Heuristics; STEM Education; Mathematics Instruction; Thinking Skills; Foreign Countries; Dropouts; High School Students; College Students; Malaysia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Problemlösen; Heuristik; STEM; Mathematics lessons; Mathematikunterricht; Denkfähigkeit; Ausland; Drop-out; Drop-outs; Dropout; Early leavers; Schulversagen; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Collegestudent
Abstract	One of the major aims of STEM education is the development of mathematical thinking. The common misconception is that "doing mathematics" is the same as getting involved in "mathematical thinking". Rallying to such argument, many would agree that mathematics should be taught as a thinking activity. Thus, this study endeavours to review the effects of a problem-solving heuristic application technique on learners' mathematical thinking development. This two-phase study analysed the data utilising a descriptive design (N=660) and experimental design (N=54). In the first phase, 660 High School Leavers, with 93% obtaining an A grade in the Math National Examination, ages 18-19, registered with a college to undergo a two-year Diploma engineering program were administered a Mathematical Thinking Test. Then, fifty-four of these students participated in a seven-week Pre-Post experimental design to investigate the impact of heuristics application on their development of mathematical thinking. These student's post-test score was also compared with a batch of one hundred and twenty third-year university students (N=120) majoring in STEM related courses where all these students have taken at least five university level related math courses. Firstly, the results indicate that the high school leavers grades obtained in the national Examination was not translated into their Mathematical Thinking prowess. Secondly, the results depicted a significant increase in the mathematical Thinking post-test score among the students who underwent a seven-week pre-post problem solving heuristic treatment. Thirdly, the students involved in the heuristic application treatment performed better than the third-year students in the Mathematical Thinking test. It is vital that the heuristic method of teaching mathematics be employed to enhance student's development of mathematical thinking, especially for STEM students. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education. Suite 124, Challenge House 616 Mitcham Road, CR0 3AA, Croydon, London, UK. Tel: +44-208-936-7681; e-mail: iejme@iejme.com; Web site: https://www.iejme.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01