Strategies of dealing with problem-solving tasks

Problemski zadaci sastavni su i neizostavni dio nastave matematike te su integrirani u sve njene sadržaje. Učenici rješavanjem problemskih zadataka razvijaju različite oblike razmišljanja, metakogniciju, samopouzdanje, upornost i interes za matematiku. Važno je osvijestiti učenike o postojanju različitih metoda i strategija rješavanja problemskih zadataka. Učitelji moraju promatrati kako učenici pristupaju rješavanju problemskih zadataka, kako samostalno otkrivaju nove strategije, objašnjavaju svoje postupke i uče na temelju vlastitog iskustva. Cilj diplomskog rada bio je istražiti strategije rješavanja problemskih zadatka koje učenici četvrtog razreda koriste pri rješavanju kombinatornih zadataka te usporediti razlike s obzirom na učenike koji pokazuju poseban interes za učenjem matematike.Mathematical problems are integral and indispensable part of mathematics and they are integrated in all its contents. By problem solving pupils develop different forms of thinking, metacognition, self-confidence, persistence and interest for mathematics. It is important to raise students’ awareness about the existence of different methods and strategies of problem solving. Teachers must observe how pupils approach the problem solving, how they independently discover new strategies, explain their actions and learn from their own experience. The aim of thesis was to investigate the problem-solving strategies that pupils in fourth grade use for solving combinatorial tasks and to compare the differences with regard to students who have shown particular interest in learning mathematics