Problem solving is an important aspect of the mathematics classroom and teachers should work to promote problem solving in their classrooms. The purpose of this explanatory mixed-methods study was to examine mathematics preservice teachers' (PSTs) problem-solving performance and connect it with their K-12 and tertiary education problem-solving…

This study analyzes the responses of 12 secondary pre-service teachers on two tasks focused on reasoning when solving linear equations. By documenting the choices PSTs made while engaging in these tasks, we gain insight into how new teachers work mathematically, reason algebraically, communicate their thinking, and make pedagogical decisions. We…

This paper reports how the context in which a mathematics item is embedded impacts on students' performance. The performance of Year 10 students on four PISA items was compared with performance on variants with more familiar contexts. Performance was not better when they solved items with more familiar contexts but there was some evidence that…

Tenth graders solved mathematical problems assisted by varying amounts of help from their teacher. Significant differences occurred between students receiving aid and the unaided control group. Partial assistance resulted in better immediate performance, but this difference was less observable three weeks later. (Author/GDC)

This study investigated several aspects of a teaching experiment which focused on five seventh grade students' performance on nonroutine number theory problem-solving with a close look at the role of heuristics, concrete models, and the relationships between these variables. In the experiment, students were given a series of lessons on number…

Statistical data and comments describe the results of the 1977 eighth grade testing program in Ontario, Canada. The tests were: Mathematics (in French and English), Problem Solving (in French and English); Science (in English only), Attitudes, French Comprehension, and Written English. Table 1 presents the numbers of students, by school district,…