Eric.ed.gov – Problem Solving in Math–A Study Approach for College Students.

This document points out the numbers of students who have difficulty in their required college mathematics courses. The four common syndromes identified with pupils who were experiencing a lack of success in mathematics were: (1) a lack of an adequate college or high school background in mathematics; (2) the tendency to feel that because they completed homework problems they really “knew their mathematics,”; (3) the inability to apply appropriate reading-learning strategies to their mathematics studies; and (4) a feeling of hostility over mathematics classes and anxiety over tests. These students are referred to as “underdeveloped learners,” who did not know how to study and learn mathematics. Twelve learning strategies that students should learn to apply are listed and described. A remediation strategy for these pupils that combines an understanding of problem solving strategies and problem solving is suggested. A self-instructional packet titled “Problem Solving in Mathematics” that is designed to help students develop a mind set that will enable them to have some degree of success in required math courses is described. This teacher-developed packet is based on the problem solving approach used by Whimby and Lockhead in their text “Problem Solving and Comprehension.” (MP)