Comparison of Two Instructional Strategies for Teaching the Solution of Verbal Problems

Few topics in mathematics present as much difficulty or elicit as many conflicting opinions as the teaching of problem solving. Problem solving occupies a central role in the teaching and learning or mathematics and helps to relate mathematics to other subject areas as well as to the physical world. The importance of problem solving should mean that a significant part of classroom activity is aimed at developing the student's ability to solve problems. Yet Stilwell (1967) found that only 3% of all time spent on problem-solving activity was devoted to developing a method for solving problems. Stilwell also found that only 7% of problem-solving activity was devoted to looking back at a problem or ahead to its implications.