Metacognitive Strategies in Solving Mathematical Problems Article

Metacognitive Strategies in Solving Mathematical Problems - Article Example The research study has applied multiple regression analysis to evaluate the predictive ability of the identified variables so as to tabulate the performance for the routine and non-routine calculus problems. The study has significantly found that problem solving skill is acquired through practice and utilization of thinking strategies which is the corner stone on which advanced mathematical ideas, particularly calculus is built upon. The study has also revealed that there are six meaningful predictive factors for calculus related to performance in problem solving. The variable of Strategy is the major projection followed by Accommodation, Self-efficacy, Definition, Exploration and Execution. Nevertheless, the variables with the highest practical importance are Accommodation and Self-Efficacy. With these findings, educators will be able to clinically evaluate a person's ability to regulate, monitor and control his/her own cognitive processes. Instructional strategies can be developed for individuals having difficulty with the learning environment. The purpose of this study is to develop an instrument to adequately identify metacognitive strategies utilized by individuals' in the processes of solving mathematical problems. A cognitive process whether it is regular or irregular, conscious ... This is based on the hypothesis that a problem solver needs to be aware of the current activity regarding the overall goal along with the strategies used to attain that goal. It is well established that successful students possess powerful strategies for dealing with problems in order to arrive at novel solutions. Background Information on the Problem The metacognitive awareness merges itself by adjusting and recognizing the expansive bank of multiple metacognitive experiences. This has been previously described by Flavell (1976) as being a conscious cognitive or affective experience that accompanies our actions by dispensing to an intellectual enterprise. Thus, metacognition involves the "active monitoring and consequent regulation and orchestration" of cognitive course in order to achieve cognitive goals (Flavell 1976:p. 252). Review of Literature Kluwe (1982) has expanded on Flavell's theory of metacognition by shedding new light on the previously established empirical concept. He has identified two general attributes common to thinking procedures which are known as 'metacognitive'. Both attributes identified by Kluwe have to do with the person who exercises metacognitive thinking. The first postulates that "the thinking subject has some knowledge about his own thinking and that of other persons," while the second professes that "the thinking subject may monitor and regulate the course of his own thinking, i.e., may act as the causal agent of his own thinking" (1982, p. 202).Drawing from that, all processes seek to adapt and regulate a multitude of solutions actively. Research Question(s) Statement of the Problem Creation of Essential Question The concept of metacognition and thinking practices was first echoed by Rickard (1995) and