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Preferred Problem-Solving Methods Employed by Grade 4 Learners for Measurement Word Problems

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Title: Preferred Problem-Solving Methods Employed by Grade 4 Learners for Measurement Word Problems
Language: English
Authors: Rajendran Govender (ORCID 0000-0002-8482-1564), Stanley A. Adendorf (ORCID 0000-0002-4190-1433), Shabbeer Rawoot (ORCID 0009-0007-4996-0036)
Source: South African Journal of Childhood Education. 2024 14(1).
Availability: AOSIS. 15 Oxford Street, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550 South Africa. Tel: +27-21-975-2602; Fax: +27-21-975-4635; e-mail: publishing@aosis.co.za; Web site: https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Grade 4
Intermediate Grades
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Grade 4, Problem Solving, Thinking Skills, Mathematics Curriculum, Elementary School Mathematics, Elementary School Students, Word Problems (Mathematics), Mathematics Instruction, Underachievement, Student Attitudes, Measurement, Mathematical Concepts, Mathematical Applications
Geographic Terms: South Africa (Cape Town)
ISSN: 2223-7674
2223-7682
Abstract: Background: Problem-solving as a vehicle to develop independent thinking skills is mostly underestimated and is often either overlooked or not given adequate attention within the existing South African mathematics curriculum. Consequently, numerous learners often display limited skills or lack skills to adequately crack Mathematics problems by applying methods put forward in class. This generally results in under-achievement. Aim: This study aims to explore and emphasise the problem-solving methods applied by Grade 4 learners involved in solving measurement word problems, and to reveal what transpires when the selected learners apply these methods to arrive at meaningful solutions. Setting: Data were collected from a class of 42 Grade 4 learners at a primary school in Cape Town South Africa. Learners were conveniently selected. Methods: A qualitative case study research design was adopted. Data gathering instruments of the study included observing learners solving, measurement word problem activities and focus group interviews. Results: The study revealed that singular methods were applied by Grade 4 learners, such as, adding, multiplying, creating a sketch or diagram, grouping, dividing, subtracting, logical reasoning, guessing and tabulating values. Conclusion: Grade 4 learners are prone to applying methods such as clustering or organising into groups, tabulating numerical values and logical reasoning were all applying mathematically sound methods. Such learners, however, needed a degree of supervision and instruction to indicate the way in which such methods were applied successfully as these methods were not necessarily dealt with in classroom context or in textbooks. Contribution: The findings emphasise the need for tackling learners' limited problem-solving competencies and accentuate the necessity for greater attention to develop and grow methods for optimal and successful solving of problems in context.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1445151
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Preferred Problem-Solving Methods Employed by Grade 4 Learners for Measurement Word Problems
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rajendran+Govender%22">Rajendran Govender</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8482-1564">0000-0002-8482-1564</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Stanley+A%2E+Adendorf%22">Stanley A. Adendorf</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4190-1433">0000-0002-4190-1433</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shabbeer+Rawoot%22">Shabbeer Rawoot</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4996-0036">0009-0007-4996-0036</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22South+African+Journal+of+Childhood+Education%22"><i>South African Journal of Childhood Education</i></searchLink>. 2024 14(1).
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  Data: AOSIS. 15 Oxford Street, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550 South Africa. Tel: +27-21-975-2602; Fax: +27-21-975-4635; e-mail: publishing@aosis.co.za; Web site: https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+4%22">Grade 4</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Solving%22">Problem Solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thinking+Skills%22">Thinking Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Curriculum%22">Mathematics Curriculum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Mathematics%22">Elementary School Mathematics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Word+Problems+%28Mathematics%29%22">Word Problems (Mathematics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Instruction%22">Mathematics Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Underachievement%22">Underachievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Measurement%22">Measurement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematical+Concepts%22">Mathematical Concepts</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematical+Applications%22">Mathematical Applications</searchLink>
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: Problem-solving as a vehicle to develop independent thinking skills is mostly underestimated and is often either overlooked or not given adequate attention within the existing South African mathematics curriculum. Consequently, numerous learners often display limited skills or lack skills to adequately crack Mathematics problems by applying methods put forward in class. This generally results in under-achievement. Aim: This study aims to explore and emphasise the problem-solving methods applied by Grade 4 learners involved in solving measurement word problems, and to reveal what transpires when the selected learners apply these methods to arrive at meaningful solutions. Setting: Data were collected from a class of 42 Grade 4 learners at a primary school in Cape Town South Africa. Learners were conveniently selected. Methods: A qualitative case study research design was adopted. Data gathering instruments of the study included observing learners solving, measurement word problem activities and focus group interviews. Results: The study revealed that singular methods were applied by Grade 4 learners, such as, adding, multiplying, creating a sketch or diagram, grouping, dividing, subtracting, logical reasoning, guessing and tabulating values. Conclusion: Grade 4 learners are prone to applying methods such as clustering or organising into groups, tabulating numerical values and logical reasoning were all applying mathematically sound methods. Such learners, however, needed a degree of supervision and instruction to indicate the way in which such methods were applied successfully as these methods were not necessarily dealt with in classroom context or in textbooks. Contribution: The findings emphasise the need for tackling learners' limited problem-solving competencies and accentuate the necessity for greater attention to develop and grow methods for optimal and successful solving of problems in context.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade 4
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thinking Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Curriculum
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Mathematics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Word Problems (Mathematics)
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      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Underachievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Measurement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematical Concepts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematical Applications
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: South Africa (Cape Town)
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Preferred Problem-Solving Methods Employed by Grade 4 Learners for Measurement Word Problems
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