Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade Mathematics
This study introduces a comprehensive educational intervention designed to strengthen numerical thinking in third-grade mathematics education through problem-solving. Anchored in Pólya’s problem-solving framework, this research employs a qualitative, descriptive methodology to design and assess a di...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Education Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/667 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849472294715392000 |
|---|---|
| author | Roberto Carlos Torres-Peña Darwin Peña-González Jorge Luis Lara-Orozco Edwan Anderson Ariza Diego Vergara |
| author_facet | Roberto Carlos Torres-Peña Darwin Peña-González Jorge Luis Lara-Orozco Edwan Anderson Ariza Diego Vergara |
| author_sort | Roberto Carlos Torres-Peña |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study introduces a comprehensive educational intervention designed to strengthen numerical thinking in third-grade mathematics education through problem-solving. Anchored in Pólya’s problem-solving framework, this research employs a qualitative, descriptive methodology to design and assess a didactic unit. The intervention comprises six structured activities aimed at evaluating and enhancing students’ competencies in numerical thinking and problem-solving. This study’s findings reveal a marked improvement in students’ mathematical abilities, particularly in applying problem-solving techniques to various mathematical contexts. This progress highlights the intervention’s effectiveness in fostering critical thinking and boosting educational outcomes in mathematics. The proposed model demonstrates versatility, offering a scalable approach for enhancing mathematical competencies in diverse educational environments. By integrating Pólya’s systematic steps into instructional practices, this research contributes significantly to pedagogical strategies in mathematics. The innovative use of problem-solving as a learning and evaluation tool not only bridges theoretical and practical knowledge, but also provides a replicable framework for advancing numerical thinking. The methodological approach, which combines qualitative analysis with tangible classroom applications, underscores the potential for transforming mathematics education and improving students’ engagement and proficiency in the subject. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebfec75a9a5e450d9b18cb335182b179 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-ebfec75a9a5e450d9b18cb335182b1792025-08-20T03:24:34ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-05-0115666710.3390/educsci15060667Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade MathematicsRoberto Carlos Torres-Peña0Darwin Peña-González1Jorge Luis Lara-Orozco2Edwan Anderson Ariza3Diego Vergara4Facultad de Educación, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta 470004, ColombiaFacultad de Educación, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta 470004, ColombiaFacultad de Educación, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta 470004, ColombiaFacultad de Ingeniería, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta 470004, ColombiaTechnology, Instruction and Design in Engineering and Education Research Group (TiDEE.rg), Catholic University of Ávila, 05005 Ávila, SpainThis study introduces a comprehensive educational intervention designed to strengthen numerical thinking in third-grade mathematics education through problem-solving. Anchored in Pólya’s problem-solving framework, this research employs a qualitative, descriptive methodology to design and assess a didactic unit. The intervention comprises six structured activities aimed at evaluating and enhancing students’ competencies in numerical thinking and problem-solving. This study’s findings reveal a marked improvement in students’ mathematical abilities, particularly in applying problem-solving techniques to various mathematical contexts. This progress highlights the intervention’s effectiveness in fostering critical thinking and boosting educational outcomes in mathematics. The proposed model demonstrates versatility, offering a scalable approach for enhancing mathematical competencies in diverse educational environments. By integrating Pólya’s systematic steps into instructional practices, this research contributes significantly to pedagogical strategies in mathematics. The innovative use of problem-solving as a learning and evaluation tool not only bridges theoretical and practical knowledge, but also provides a replicable framework for advancing numerical thinking. The methodological approach, which combines qualitative analysis with tangible classroom applications, underscores the potential for transforming mathematics education and improving students’ engagement and proficiency in the subject.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/667mathematics teachingmotivationdidactic approachmethodology |
| spellingShingle | Roberto Carlos Torres-Peña Darwin Peña-González Jorge Luis Lara-Orozco Edwan Anderson Ariza Diego Vergara Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade Mathematics Education Sciences mathematics teaching motivation didactic approach methodology |
| title | Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade Mathematics |
| title_full | Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade Mathematics |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade Mathematics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade Mathematics |
| title_short | Enhancing Numerical Thinking Through Problem Solving: A Teaching Experience for Third-Grade Mathematics |
| title_sort | enhancing numerical thinking through problem solving a teaching experience for third grade mathematics |
| topic | mathematics teaching motivation didactic approach methodology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/667 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertocarlostorrespena enhancingnumericalthinkingthroughproblemsolvingateachingexperienceforthirdgrademathematics AT darwinpenagonzalez enhancingnumericalthinkingthroughproblemsolvingateachingexperienceforthirdgrademathematics AT jorgeluislaraorozco enhancingnumericalthinkingthroughproblemsolvingateachingexperienceforthirdgrademathematics AT edwanandersonariza enhancingnumericalthinkingthroughproblemsolvingateachingexperienceforthirdgrademathematics AT diegovergara enhancingnumericalthinkingthroughproblemsolvingateachingexperienceforthirdgrademathematics |