Experiment using schematic mapping skills to teach problem-solving skills in vocational education
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of schematic mapping instruction on math word problem solving with vocational education students. The study tested an instructional method whereby 49 randomly selected secondary vocational education students (ages 15-18) participated in a treatment/control group experiment to determine whether mathematical word problem solving skills (WPSS) could be taught using a schematic mapping technique. A previously developed Generalizable Vocational Mathematics Skill Assessment instrument (Greenan, 1983; Greenan & Richard, 1985) was administered as a pretest and posttest to assess students' mathematical WPSS. Each student was randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. One secondary vocational school and one comprehensive high school were used in the study. A paired comparison t-test and three-mode factor analysis were used to test the dependent variable (math WPSS). Based upon the results, data indicated that students improved their math WPSS following schematic mapping instruction. Students who received instruction in schematic mapping increased their scores on word problems over those in the control group not receiving instruction. There were, however, no indications of interaction on the factor analysis when gender, vocational program (agricultural, business, health, home economics, and industrial), and treatment/control group were compared. This result could have been attributed to previous experience such as high school math instruction (Annis & Annis, 1979) and small sample size. The overall results supports Mayer's (1985) view that change in WPSS can occur with appropriate instruction using schematic mapping. Students demonstrated that once they were shown how to read schematic mapping on word problems, break them into parts, draw diagrams and deduce a solution, they improved word problem solving skills.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Russell, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Vocational education|Curricula|Teaching
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