An Analysis on the Elementary Students' Mathematical Thinking in the Mathematical Problem Solving Processes

수학 문제해결 과정에서 나타나는 초등학생들의 수학적 사고 분석

The purpose of this study was to analyze the elementary students' mathematical thinking, which is found during mathematical problem solving processes based on mathematical knowledge, heuristics, control, and mathematical disposition. The participants were 8 fifth grade elementary students in Seoul. A qualitative case study was used for investigating the students' mathematical thinking. The data were coded according to the four components of the students' mathematical thinking. The results of the analyses concerning mathematical thinking of the elementary students were as follows: First, in terms of mathematical knowledge, the elementary students frequently used conceptual knowledge, procedural knowledge and informal knowledge during problem solving processes. Second, students tended not to find new heuristics or apply new one, but they only used the heuristics acquired from the experiences of the class and prior experiences. Third, control was found while students were solving problems. Last, mathematical disposition influenced on the mathematical problem solving processes. Teachers need to in-depth observations on the problem solving processes of students, which leads to teachers'effective assistance on facilitating students' problem solving skills.