Modern society demands the ability to mathematically interpret and utilize diverse information and complex data, and mathematical modeling has established itself as an important tool. Mathematical modeling promotes a deep understanding of mathematical...
Modern society demands the ability to mathematically interpret and utilize diverse information and complex data, and mathematical modeling has established itself as an important tool. Mathematical modeling promotes a deep understanding of mathematical concepts as a process of mathematically structuring and analyzing real-life problems to derive appropriate conclusions.
Difficulties experienced by students during mathematics learning are often perceived negatively and regarded as elements that should be eliminated. However, the effort to understand mathematics is a crucial element in mathematics learning. Therefore, to help students develop a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics, it is necessary to support productive struggle. Meanwhile, communication among group members is important in mathematical modeling activities.
Although the importance of mathematical modeling education is emphasized, research on the difficulties arising in mathematical modeling activities and the productive struggle experienced by students remains scarce. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to analyze the struggle (productive struggle) experienced by fifth-grade elementary students in mathematical modeling activities and the peer feedback that helps productive struggle. The research questions of this study are as follows:
1. What are characteristics of struggle experienced in mathematical modeling activities? 2. What characterizes the peer feedback that promotes productive struggle in mathematical modeling activities?
This study was conducted with 12 fifth-grade students at an elementary school in Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, involving two mathematical modeling sessions. Data were collected through class video recordings, worksheets, and surveys. The class video recordings were transcribed focusing on 108 episodes where students experienced struggle. In addition, by comparing and analyzing worksheets and surveys, the types of struggle were categorized, and peer feedback promoting productive struggle was analyzed in each episode.
Regarding the first research question, the number of struggle types students experienced at each stage of mathematical modeling is as follows. Students experienced a total of 26 types of struggle encompassing cognitive, social, and affective aspects throughout the mathematical modeling process. Specifically, 5 types of struggle were identified in the "Real-world Problem" stage, 10 in the "Model" stage, 8 in the "Mathematical Conclusion" stage, and 3 in the "Model Application" stage. Examining the ratio of the 108 struggle instances by stage, the Real-world Problem stage accounted for 15.74%, the Model stage for 48.15%, the Mathematical Conclusion stage for 30.05%, and the Model Application stage for 5.06%. Notably, students' struggle was not confined to a specific stage. Similar types of struggle appeared in the Model and Mathematical Conclusion stages, which appears to be due to the cyclical and iterative nature of mathematical modeling activities.
Regarding the second research question, an analysis framework was established with four types of peer feedback based on prior research: Telling, Directed Guidance, Probing Guidance, and Affordance. The analysis of feedback used when students were experiencing struggle showed the following usage rates: Telling (47.25%), Directed Guidance (35.17%), Probing Guidance (9.89%), and Affordance (7.96%). Furthermore, the "Telling" response had the lowest rate of converting struggle into productive struggle, followed by "Directed Guidance." Conversely, both "Probing Guidance" and "Affordance" responses supported productive struggle.
Based on these findings, the following implications were derived. First, teachers conducting mathematical modeling lessons must design instruction by recognizing the types of struggle students may encounter in advance. If teachers understand the characteristics of mathematical modeling lessons and the corresponding struggle patterns, they can sufficiently prepare and utilize resources to support students effectively.
Second, research on instructing students in specific peer feedback methods is necessary. Students most frequently used "Telling" feedback, which lowers the cognitive demand of the task, when helping peers. However, "Telling" feedback does not effectively support productive struggle. In contrast, "Probing Guidance" and "Affordance" feedback, which do not lower cognitive demand, effectively supported productive struggle. Therefore, teachers should specifically guide students on peer feedback methods. Through this, students will be able to experience more productive struggle.