Making Mathematics More Friendly; A Thoughtful Review of Problem-Solving Concept as a Tool
Evans Atteh *
Department of Mathematics and ICT, Wiawso College of Education, Sefwi Wiawso, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Successful learning of mathematical concepts and skills is a function of the approaches and strategies that teachers use in their teaching. How mathematics is taught, to a large extent, is influenced by the perceptions that teachers have about the subject and of what they believe good teaching to be. Teachers have to give up the notion that the topics at hand cannot be learned by the students unless the teacher covers them and adopts a proper teaching method that encourages active learning and better understanding. Adopting problem-solving as an instructional technique and creating a healthy learning atmosphere creates an active learning environment that makes learning more enjoyable for both students and teachers, as well as promoting critical thinking among students. The aim of the study is to draw attention to existing literature on problem-solving and how it can help teachers and students in the mathematics classroom to be more successful.
Keywords: Problem-solving, mathematics learning, pedagogical content knowledge, teaching and learning