Factors Affecting Success in Solving a Stand-Alone Geometrical Problem by Students aged 14 to 15

  • Branka Antunović-Piton Faculty of Educational Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Croatia
  • Nives Baranović Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Split
Keywords: geometrical problem, mathematic language, problem solving, visualisation

Abstract

This paper investigates and considers factors that affect success in solving a stand-alone geometrical problem by 182 students of the 7th and 8th grades of elementary school. The starting point for consideration is a geometrical task from the National Secondary School Leaving Exam in Croatia (State Matura), utilising elementary-level geometry concepts. The task was presented as a textual problem with an appropriate drawing and a task within a given context. After data processing, the key factors affecting the process of problem solving were singled out: visualisation skills, detection and connection of concepts, symbolic notations, and problem-solving culture. The obtained results are the basis of suggestions for changes in the geometry teaching-learning process.

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Published
2022-03-25
How to Cite
Antunović-Piton, B., & Baranović, N. (2022). Factors Affecting Success in Solving a Stand-Alone Geometrical Problem by Students aged 14 to 15. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 12(1), 55-79. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.889