Dayal, Hem and Chandra, Subhas (2016) Solving word problems in mathematics: An exploratory study among Fijian primary school teachers. Waikato Journal of Education, 21 (2). pp. 29-42. ISSN 1173-6135
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Abstract
Word problems have been well recognised for their pedagogical value in mathematics teaching and
learning. The authors of this paper examined Fijian primary mathematics teachers’ mathematical
knowledge by analysing 34 teachers response to three word problems. The teachers were enrolled in a
primary mathematics teaching methods course at a Fijian university. These teachers had a minimum
of two years of teaching experience and an official undergraduate qualification from a teacher
training college. One of the word problems was a nonsensical one, while the other two word problems
contained some technical defects. The overall intention was to explore whether in-service primary
teachers could identify the word problems as nonsensical or problematic, and if so, how do they apply
their judgment based on real world knowledge when faced with non-standard word problems.
Findings suggest that in-service primary teachers do not apply real world mathematical knowledge
when solving word problems. This research provides an insight into the lack of mathematical
knowledge of a small sample of in-service teachers with respect to identifying real world
mathematical knowledge. Some awareness on the pedagogical potential of such word problems are
also evident in this study.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1501 Primary Education |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (FALE) > School of Education |
| Depositing User: | Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Oct 2017 02:37 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Oct 2017 02:37 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10327 |
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