Children's problem representations during mathematical problem solving: Visual representations in rate word problems.

概要

論文の詳細を見る
This study explored the problem solving approaches, especially make visual representations of the word problems, that Japanese elementary school students used to solve ratio word problems involving rational numbers in the short longitudinal assessments over a one-year period., and examined relationship between the use of visual representations and success in problem solving. The problem solving tasks include ratio word problem tasks and ratio problems in both statement format and diagram format. About 170 fifth-grade students were assessed twice by paper-pencil tests after the lessons about ratio. For the assessment in 5th grade, the items in each task were made in decimal numbers as the ratio, and in fraction ratios for the assessment in 6th grade. The results showed that neither the use of visual representations nor drawing textbook-standard diagrams guaranteed success in problem solving in both 5th and 6th grade, and that the correctness of visual representations was associated with success in problem solving. Students' ability to translate the numerical relation into visual representations was also rated, and it was found to be related to the performance in problem solving involving ratio. Pedagogical strategies for improving students' ability to comprehend and represent ratio word problems are discussed.
2005-03-01