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Teaching problem solving to year 6 students: A new approach

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Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effects of an instructional intervention derived from the Garofalo and Lester (1985) cognitive-metacognitive framework on the problem-solving performance of Year 6 students with different ability levels. A quasi-experimental design was employed using one experimental and two control classes. Four different techniques were applied to identify above average, average, and below average students. There was a significant improvement in problem-solving performance for the experimental class compared with both control classes. Furthermore, higher ability students appeared to gain more from the experimental instruction than lower ability students. Implications for instruction and research are explored.

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This article is based on the first author’s doctoral dissertation (Adibnia, 1996), which was completed under the direction of the second author.

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Adibnia, A., Putt, I.J. Teaching problem solving to year 6 students: A new approach. Math Ed Res J 10, 42–58 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03217057

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