Towards Discovering the Best LearningStrategy in Developing Student’s ProblemSolving Skills in Mathematics

Abstract

Problem-solving skill is one ofthe most important competencies that should be developed to strengthen
the students’ analytical and critical thinking skills in applying mathematics to real-world situations. This
study aimed to develop an instructional intervention to improve the problem-solving skill ofthe students
in mathematics. The discussions of the study followed the Analysis, Design, and Development (ADD)
Phases. In the analysis phase, the problem-solving skill of the students was determined using their
pretest scores. In the design phase, based on the initial performance of the students, lesson exemplars
were crafted and utilized integrating the learning strategies in terms of real-world experiences, visual
representations, and learning socially in groups. In the development phase, after the conduct ofthe lesson
using the exemplars, posttest was administered to determine ifthere is a significant improvement using
the learning strategies. The best learning strategy was incorporated in the modular skill enhancement
strategy as an instructional intervention which was developed in this study. Descriptive and comparative
methods ofresearch were utilized. Forty Grade 11 students under Humanities and Social Sciences Strand
of Camarines Sur National High School were chosen through purposive random sampling. Statistical
tools such as mean, rank, and paired sample t-test were utilized. Based on the findings, students were
advanced beginners (M=2.38) in solving word problems in the administered pretest. To address the
issues and gaps in problem-solving skill ofthe students in math, lesson exemplars were made applying
the 4A’s Model of Jane Vella (2008). After the delivery of instructions using the lesson exemplars,
posttest was administered. Comparing the results from the pretest, the student’s performance in solving
word problems improved. They were found to be competent (M=4.61). This study concluded that there
are two learning strategies that can develop the problem-solving skills ofthe students. These are learning
through real-world experiences and visual representations. To enhance the students’ performance in 
problem-solving, the suggestions and recommendations were: (1) a compendium of lesson exemplars
integrating the learning strategies in terms of real-world experiences and visual representations can be
developed; (2) Math Enhancement Program can be proposed by the teachers to improve the students’
performance in math; and further investigations can be conducted to assess the factors behind the poor
performance of the students. This is possible by assessing their demographic background, learning
styles, and interests.