Abstract:

The study in general aims to reveal the situation of the classmates candidates in the problem-solving processes, and specifically to identify the strategies they use in the problem-solving process. The study was carried out as qualified with 126 participants who studied in the third class of the main discipline of science in a state university’s educational faculty. The data obtained by the study of the solution of a routine problem in accordance with the level of the primary school they were asked were visually analyzed according to the stages of Polya's problem-solving process. The findings show that class teacher candidates often use a strategy of prediction-control, systematic listing and using equations that are not in accordance with the primary school level, while some prefer judging and using diagrams.

Abstract:

The study is aimed to reveal the statuses of prospective primary school teachers relevant to problem solving processes in general sense, it is actually aiming to determine the strategies they use in this process. The study had been realized qualitatively by 126 participants studying at third grade of primary school teaching department of a state university’s faculty of education. The data, obtained through the examination of the solution of a routine problem in primary school level directed to them, has been analyzed descriptively under stages by the problem solving process of Polya. The results indicate that they are generally using the strategies of guessing and checking, systematic listing and using equations and sometimes they prefer reasoning and using diagrams.  

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