Skip to main content

Problem Solving for the 21st Century

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Theories of Mathematics Education

Part of the book series: Advances in Mathematics Education ((AME))

Abstract

Mathematical problem solving has been the subject of substantial and often controversial research for several decades. We use the term, problem solving, here in a broad sense to cover a range of activities that challenge and extend one’s thinking. In this chapter, we initially present a sketch of past decades of research on mathematical problem solving and its impact on the mathematics curriculum. We then consider some of the factors that have limited previous research on problem solving. In the remainder of the chapter we address some ways in which we might advance the fields of problem-solving research and curriculum development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anderson, J. R., Boyle, C. B., & Reiser, B. J. (1985). Intelligent tutoring systems. Science, 228, 456–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) and Early Childhood Australia (ECA) (2009). http://www.aamt.edu.au (accessed 27.03.09).

  • Baroody, A. J., Lai, M., & Mix, K. (2006). The development of young children’s early number and operation sense and its implications for early childhood education. In B. Spodek & O. Saracho (Eds.), Handbook of Research on the Education of Young Children (2nd ed.). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckmann, A. (2009). A conceptual framework for cross-curricular teaching. The Montana Mathematics Enthusiast, 6(supplement 1), 1–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Begle, E. G. (1979). Critical Variables in Mathematics Education. Washington D.C.: the Mathematics Association of America and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. I., & Walter, M. I. (2005). The Art of Problem Posing (3rd ed.). Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brownell, W. A. (1945). When is arithmetic meaningful? Journal of Educational Research, 38(3), 481–498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, J. (2003). What research tells us about teaching mathematics through problem solving. In F. Lester & R. Charles (Eds.), Teaching Mathematics Through Problem Solving (pp. 241–253). Reston, Virginia: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. (2006). Educational neuroscience: New horizons for research in mathematics education. In J. Novotna, H. Moraova, M. Kratka, & N. Stelikova (Eds.), Proceedings of the 30th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (Vol. 2, pp. 257–264). Prague, Czech Republic: Charles University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, R., & Silver, E. (1988). The Teaching and Assessing of Mathematical Problem Solving. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlesworth, R., & Lind, K. (2006). Math and Science Learning for Young Children (6th ed.). NY: Delmar Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, B., & Simmt, E. (2003). Understanding learning systems: Mathematics education and complexity science. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 34(2), 137–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Abreu, G. (2008). From mathematics learning out-of-school to multicultural classrooms: A cultural psychology perspective. In L. D. English (Ed.), Handbook of International Research in Mathematics Education. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doerr, H. M., & English, L. D. (2001). A modelling perspective on students’ learning through data analysis. In M. van den Heuvel-Panhuizen (Ed.), Proceedings of the 25th Annual Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (pp. 361–368). Utrecht University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doerr, H. M., & English, L. D. (2003). A modeling perspective on students’ mathematical reasoning about data. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 34(2), 110–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doerr, H., & English, L. D. (2006). Middle-grade teachers’ learning through students’ engagement with modelling tasks. Journal for Research in Mathematics Teacher Education, 9(1), 5–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doerr, H. M., & Tripp, J. S. (1999). Understanding how students develop mathematical models. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 1(3), 231–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D. (2003). Problem posing in the elementary curriculum. In F. Lester & R. Charles (Eds.), Teaching Mathematics Through Problem Solving (pp. 187–198). Reston, Virginia: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D. (2006). Mathematical modeling in the primary school: Children’s construction of a consumer guide. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 62(3), 303–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D. (2007). Complex systems in the elementary and middle school mathematics curriculum: A focus on modeling. In B. Sriraman (Ed.), Festschrift in Honor of Gunter Torner. The Montana Mathematics Enthusiast (pp. 139–156). Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D. (2008). Introducing complex systems into the mathematics curriculum. Teaching Children Mathematics, 15(1), 38–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D. (2009a). Promoting interdisciplinarity through mathematical modelling. ZDM: The International Journal on Mathematics Education, 41(1), 161–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D. (2009b). Modeling with complex data in the primary school. In R. Lesh, P. Galbraith, W. Blum, & A. Hurford (Eds.), Modeling Students’ Mathematical Modeling Competencies: ICTMA 13. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D., & Halford, G. S. (1995). Mathematics Education: Models and Processes. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D., & Watters, J. J. (2005). Mathematical modeling in the early school years. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 16(3), 58–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D., Lesh, R. A., & Fennewald, T. (2008). Future directions and perspectives for problem solving research and curriculum development. Paper presented for TSG 19 at the International Congress on Mathematical Education. Monterrey, Mexico, July 6–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enhancing the Teaching and Learning of Early Statistical Reasoning in European Schools (2009). Project: http://www.earlystatistics.net/ (accessed 20 March, 2009).

  • Franklin, C. A., & Garfield, J. (2006). The GAISE project: Developing statistics education guidelines for grades pre-K-12 and college courses. In G. Burrill & P. Elliott (Eds.), Thinking and Reasoning with Data and Chance (68th Yearbook, pp. 345–376). Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudenthal, H. (1973). Didactical Phenomenology of Mathematical Structures. Boston: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gainsburg, J. (2006). The mathematical modeling of structural engineers. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 8(1), 3–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, H. P., Cannon, J., Eisenband, J. G., & Pappas, S. (2006). Mathematical thinking and learning. In K. McCartney & D. Phillips (Eds.), Handbook of Early Child Development (pp. 208–230). Oxford, England: Blackwell.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gravemeijer, K. (1999). How emergent models may foster the construction of formal mathematics. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 1, 155–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greer, B. (1997). Modeling reality in mathematics classroom: The case of word problems. Learning and Instruction, 7, 293–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greer, B., Verschaffel, L., & Mukhopadhyay, S. (2007). Modelling for life: Mathematics and children’s experience. In W. Blum, W. Henne, & M. Niss (Eds.), Applications and Modelling in Mathematics Education (ICMI Study 14, pp. 89–98). Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, E. (2007). What changes are needed in the kind of problem solving situations where mathematical thinking is needed beyond school? In R. Lesh, E. Hamilton, & J. Kaput (Eds.), Foundations for the Future in Mathematics Education (pp. 1–6). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, E., Lesh, R., Lester, F., & Yoon, C. (2007). The use of reflection tools in building personal models of problem solving. In R. Lesh, E. Hamilton, & J. Kaput (Eds.), Foundations for the Future in Mathematics Education (pp. 349–366). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchins, E. (1995a). Cognition in the Wild. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchins, E. (1995b). How a cockpit remembers its speeds. Cognitive Science, 19, 265–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, G., & Maass, K. (2007). Modelling in lower secondary mathematics classroom—problems and opportunities. In W. Blum, W. Henne, & M. Niss (Eds.), Applications and Modelling in Mathematics Education (ICMI Study 14, pp. 99–108). Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, G., & Sriraman, B. (2006). A global survey of international perspectives on modelling in mathematics education. ZDM, 38(3), 302–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, G., Blomhoj, M., & Sriraman, B. (2006). Towards a didactical theory for mathematical modelling. ZDM, 38(2), 82–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langrall, C., Mooney, E., Nisbet, S., & Jones, G. (2008). Elementary students’ access to powerful mathematical ideas. In L. D. English (Ed.), Handbook of International Research in Mathematics Education (2nd ed.). NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehrer, R., & Schauble, L. (2004). Modeling natural variation through distribution. American Educational Research Journal, 41(3), 635–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehrer, R., & Schauble, L. (2005). Developing modeling and argument in the elementary grades. In T. Romberg, T. Carpenter, & F. Dremock (Eds.), Understanding Mathematics and Science Matters (pp. 29–53). NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehrer, R., Giles, N. D., & Schauble, L. (2002). Children’s work with data. In Investigating Real Data in the Classroom: Expanding Children’s Understanding of Math and Science (pp. 1–26). Columbia Univ.: Teachers College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R. (2006). Modeling students modeling abilities: The teaching and learning of complex systems in education. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 15(1), 45–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R. (2007). Foundations for the future in engineering and other fields that are heavy users of mathematics, science, and technology. In R. Lesh, E. Hamilton, & J. Kaput (Eds.), Foundations for the Future in Mathematics Education (pp. vii–x). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R. (2008). Directions for future research and development in engineering education. In J. Zawojewski, H. Diefes-Dux, & K. Bowman (Eds.), Models and Modeling in Engineering Education: Designing Experiences for All Students. Rotterdam: Sense Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., & Doerr, H. (2003). Foundation of a models and modeling perspective on mathematics teaching and learning. In R. A. Lesh & H. Doerr (Eds.), Beyond Constructivism: A Models and Modeling Perspective on Mathematics Teaching, Learning, and Problem Solving (pp. 9–34). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., & English, L. D. (2005). Trends in the evolution of models and modeling perspectives on mathematical learning and problem solving. In H. Chick & J. Vincent (Eds.), Proceedings of the 29th Annual Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (pp. 192–196). University of Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., & Sriraman, B. (2005). John Dewey revisited—pragmatism and the models-modeling perspective on mathematical learning. In A. Beckmann, C. Michelsen, & B. Sriraman (Eds.), Proceedings of the 1 st International Symposium of Mathematics and Its Connections to the Arts and Sciences (pp. 7–31). Schwöbisch Gmund, Germany: The University of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., & Zawojewski, J. S. (2007). Problem solving and modeling. In F. Lester (Ed.), The Second Handbook of Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning (pp. 763–804). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., Cramer, K., Doerr, H. M., Post, T., & Zawojewski, J. S. (2003a). Model development sequences. In R. A. Lesh & H. Doerr (Eds.), Beyond Constructivism: A Models and Modeling Perspective on Mathematics Teaching, Learning, and Problem Solving (pp. 35–58). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., Zawojewski, J. S., & Carmona, G. (2003b). What mathematical abilities are needed for success beyond school in a technology-based age of information? In R. Lesh & H. Doerr (Eds.), Beyond Constructivism: Models and Modeling Perspectives on Mathematic Problem Solving, Learning and Teaching (pp. 205–222). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., Middleton, J., Caylor, E., & Gupta, S. (2008). A science need: Designing tasks to engage students in modeling complex data. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 68(2), 113–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, F. K., & Charles, R. I. (Eds.) (2003). Teaching Mathematics Through Problem Solving: PreK-6. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, F. K., & Kehle, P. E. (2003). From problem solving to modeling: The evolution of thinking about research on complex mathematical activity. In R. A. Lesh & H. M. Doerr (Eds.), Beyond Constructivism: Models and Modeling Perspectives on Mathematics Problem Solving, Learning, and Teaching (pp. 501–518). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, F. K., Garofalo, J., & Kroll, D. L. (1989). Self-confidence, interest, beliefs, and metacognition: Key influences on problem solving behavior. In D. B. McLeod & V. M. Adams (Eds.), Affect and Mathematical Problem Solving: A New Perspective (pp. 75–88). New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobato, J. (2003). How design experiments can inform a rethinking of transfer and vice versa. Educational Researcher, 32(1), 17–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maclean, R. (2001). Educational change in Asia: An overview. Journal of Educational Change, 2, 189–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meletiou-Mavrotheris, M., Paparistodemou, E., & Stylianou, D. (2009). Enhancing statistics instruction in elementary schools: Integrating technology in professional development. The Montana Mathematics Enthusiast, 16(1&2), 57–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000). Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Reston, VA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards (2008). http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter3/index.htm (accessed: 23.03.09).

  • Niss, M., Blum, W., & Galbraith, P. (2007). Introduction. In W. Blum, W. Henne, & M. Niss (Eds.), Applications and Modelling in Mathematics Education (ICMI Study 14, pp. 3–33). Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Nunes, T., & Bryant, P. (1996). Children Doing Mathematics. Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunes, T., Schliemann, A. D., & Carraher, D. W. (1993). Street Mathematics and School Mathematics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • PISA (2006). (Programme for International Student Assessment: http://www.pisa.oecd.org/; accessed 26.03.09).

  • Polya, G. (1945). How to Solve It. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romberg, T. A., Carpenter, T. P., & Kwako, J. (2005). Standards-based reform and teaching for understanding. In T. A. Romberg, T. P. Carpenter, & F. Dremock (Eds.), Understanding Mathematics and Science Matters. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, A. (2002). Interactive visualizations of statistical relationships: What do we gain? In Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Teaching Statistics. Durban, South Africa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelli, N. H. (2006). Complexity, technology, science, and education. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 15(1), 5–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, R. K. (2007). Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxe, G. (1991). Culture and Cognitive Development: Studies in Mathematical Understanding. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoen, & Charles (Eds.) (2003). Teaching Mathematics Through Problem Solving: Grades 6–12. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenfeld, A. (1992). Learning to think mathematically: Problem solving, metacognition, and sense making in mathematics. In D. A. Grouws (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning: A Project of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (pp. 334–370). New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silver, E. A. (1985). Research on teaching mathematical problem solving: Some under represented themes and needed directions. In E. A. Silver (Ed.), Teaching and Learning Mathematical Problem Solving. Multiple Research Perspectives (pp. 247–266). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H. (1978). Information-processing theory of human problem solving. In W. K. Estes (Ed.), Handbook of Learning and Cognitive Processes (Vol. 5, pp. 271–295). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sriraman, B., & Adrian, H. (2008). A critique and response to multicultural visions of globalization. Interchange, 39(1), 119–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sriraman, B., & Dahl, B. (2009). On bringing interdisciplinary ideas to gifted education. In L.V. Shavinina (Ed.), The International Handbook of Giftedness (pp. 1235–1254). Springer Science & Business.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sriraman, B., & Steinthorsdottir, O. (2007). Research into practice: Implications of research on mathematics gifted education for the secondary curriculum. In C. Callahan & J. Plucker (Eds.), Critical Issues and Practices in Gifted Education: What the Research Says (pp. 395–408). Prufrock Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steen, L. A. (Ed.) (2001). Mathematics and Democracy: The Case for Quantitative Literacy. USA: National Council on Education and the Disciplines.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan, J. (2002). Education in the twenty-first century: Challenges and dilemmas. In D. da Cunha (Ed.), Singapore in the New Millennium: Challenges Facing the Citystate (pp. 154–186). Singapore: The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) (2003). http://timss.bc.edu/timss2003i/intl_reports.html; accessed 26.03.09).

  • Van den Heuvel-Panhuzen, M. (2003). The didactical use of models in realistic mathematics education: An example from a longitudinal trajectory on percentage. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 54, 9–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Engen, H. (1949). An analysis of meaning in arithmetic. Elementary School Journal, 49, 321–329, 395–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J., & Moritz, J. B. (2000). Developing concepts of sampling. JRME, 31(1), 44–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zawojewski, J., & McCarthy, L. (2007). Numeracy in practice. Principal Leadership, 7(5), 32–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zawojewski, J. S., Hjalmarson, M. A., Bowman, K. J., & Lesh, R. (2008). A modeling perspective on learning and teaching in engineering education. In J. S. Zawojewski, H. A. Diefes-Dux, & K. Bowman (Eds.), Models and Modeling in Engineering Education. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bharath Sriraman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

English, L., Sriraman, B. (2010). Problem Solving for the 21st Century. In: Sriraman, B., English, L. (eds) Theories of Mathematics Education. Advances in Mathematics Education. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-00742-2_27

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-00742-2_27

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-00741-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-00742-2

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics