Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
10:26
Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
4.5K
Word Problem Solving in Contemporary Math Education: A Plea for Reading Comprehension Skills Training
Anton J H Boonen1, Björn B de Koning1, Jelle Jolles1
1Department of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Section of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences & LEARN! Research Institute for Learning and Education, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Psychology
|March 1, 2016
Summary
Students in Realistic Math Education (RME) struggle with complex math word problems due to a focus on representational skills over reading comprehension. Enhancing reading instruction in RME is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Mathematics Education
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Mathematical word problem solving relies on both representational and reading comprehension skills.
- Realistic Math Education (RME) emphasizes representational skills, potentially neglecting reading comprehension in word problem contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if students educated in RME experience difficulties with semantically complex word problems.
- To assess the impact of semantic complexity on word problem-solving performance in relation to representational and reading comprehension skills.
Main Methods:
- Studied 80 sixth-grade students categorized by math performance.
- Administered word problems varying in semantic complexity, assessing both representational and reading comprehension abilities.
Main Results:
- Even high-achieving students demonstrated poor performance on semantically complex word problems.
- Performance was adequate on less complex problems, indicating a specific deficit with semantic challenges.
Conclusions:
- Reading comprehension skills appear to be underdeveloped in RME curricula for word problem solving.
- RME instruction should integrate reading comprehension more prominently to improve overall word problem-solving success.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Problem-Solving
615
Effective problem-solving consists of two steps: 1. identifying the problem and 2. selecting the appropriate problem-solving strategy (i.e., a plan of action used to find a solution). Humans use four problem-solving strategies:
615
01:29Mathematical Modeling: Problem Solving
509
Mathematical modeling transforms real-world scenarios into mathematical expressions, allowing for structured problem-solving and analysis. This process involves defining the situation, assigning variables to measurable quantities, selecting an appropriate model, and solving the resulting equation. Such models are invaluable in finance, providing precise methods to evaluate investments, loans, and repayment structures.A widely used example is the calculation of fixed monthly payments on a loan,...
509
01:12Theorems of Pappus and Guldinus: Problem Solving
1.1K
Pappus and Guldinus's theorems are powerful mathematical principles that are used for finding the surface area and volume of composite shapes. For example, consider a cylindrical storage tank with a conical top. Finding the surface area or volume can be challenging for such complex shapes. These theorems are particularly useful in calculating the volume and surface area of such systems. Here, the cylindrical storage tank with a conical top can be broken down into two simple shapes: a...
1.1K
02:32Solving Problems in Physics
9.4K
Problem-solving is the ability to apply general physical principles to specific situations, usually expressed by equations. It is an essential skill in physics, and can also be useful for applying physics in everyday life as well. Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities can be applied to new situations, compared to a list of facts, which can never be extensive enough to include every possible circumstance. To solve physics problems, a certain amount of creativity and insight is...
9.4K
01:14Castigliano's Theorem: Problem Solving
1.4K
The deflection of a simply supported beam that carries a central point load can be analyzed using structural mechanics principles, particularly by applying Castigliano's theorem. This theorem relates the displacement at the load application point to the partial derivatives of the strain energy in the structure. The simply supported beam with a point load at its center has symmetric reaction forces at the supports, each bearing half of the load. The bending moment at any point along the beam is...
1.4K
01:21Dot Product: Problem Solving
772
The dot product is a powerful tool in problem-solving involving vectors, given that the dot product of two vectors is the product of their magnitudes and the cosine of the angle between them measured anti-clockwise. Solving problems involving the dot product requires understanding its properties and developing a step-by-step process to solve them. Here are the main steps to follow when solving any general problem involving the dot product:
Identify the problem: Start by reading the problem and...
Identify the problem: Start by reading the problem and...
772