• The Mathematical Education
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.217-231
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• 2004

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new method for activating the metacognitive abilities that play a key role in the Mathematical Problem Solving Process (MPSP). The proposed research question is as follows: Can the MPSP activate metacognitive abilities of high school students in the pencil-and-paper environment using guidance material for metacognitive activities\ulcorner To solve this question, two case studies have been carried out. Two students for the study were selected via informal interview. They voluntarily took part in 13 experimental lectures. The activating paths of their metacognitive abilities in the MPSP were chronically described and analyzed. All the activating processes of the students focusing on the aspects of metacognitive behaviors were analyzed by means of interview, observation, self-report, and activity data. The two high school students participating in the MPSP voluntarily recognized and reflected their deficiencies in metacognitive abilities, and therefore maximized their own performance. They made quite significant progress in the course of activating their metacognitive abilities through voluntary participation and gained greater confidence in the MPSP. Hence they have become good problem solvers. They expressed not only the factors influencing their behavior but also their self-awareness during the metacognitive activities. In the long run, this experiment will increase possibilities for the internalization of the metacognitive process.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.291-305
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• 2009

The purpose of this article is to formulate the base that mathematical thinking power can be improved through activating the metacognitive ability of students in the math problem solving process. The guidance material for activating the metacognitive ability was devised based on a body of literature and various studies. Two high school students used it in their math problem solving process. They reported that their own mathematical thinking power was improved in this process. And they showed that the necessary strategies and procedures for math problem solving can be monitored and controled by analyzing their own metacognition in the mathematical thinking process. This result suggests that students' metacognition does play an important role in the mathematical thinking process.