Zollman's Four Corners and a Diamond Graphic Organizer as a Solving Strategy in Secondary Mathematics Word Problems

Cheau Mei Wong, Khairul Amilin Tengah

Abstract


This action research examined the effectiveness of the Zollman's Four Corners and a Diamond graphic organizer as a strategy to improve Year 10 students' performance in mathematics word problems. Quantitative data from twenty-four students from a secondary school in Brunei Darussalam was collected through the use of a pre-test and post-test. Results from the pre-test and post-test were analyzed and it was found that there was a significant difference in students performance before and after introducing the Zollman's Four Corners and a Diamond graphic organizer. A paired sample t-test on the pre-test and post-test showed a significant improvement in students' mean marks, t(23) = -3.415, p = .002. Additionally, it was found that the Zollman's Four Corners and a Diamond graphic organizer is capable of helping students of all abilities and particularly the lower ability students. Hence for this study, the Zollman's Four Corners and a Diamond graphic organizer successfully enhanced the Year 10 students' performance in solving mathematics word problems.


Keywords


Diamond graphic organizer; word problems; Zollman’s four corners

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdul Gani, M., Tengah, K. A., Said, H. (2019). Bar Model as intervention in solving word problem involving percentage. International Journal on Emerging Mathematics Education, 3(1), 69-76.

Abdullah, N., Zakaria, E., Halim, L. (2012). The effect of a thinking strategy approach through visual representation on achievement and conceptual understanding in solving mathematical word problems. Asian Social Science, 8(16), 30- 37.

Ausubel, D. P. (1968). Educational psychology: A cognitive view. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.

Bush, S. B., Karp, K. S. (2013). Prerequisite algebra skills and associated misconceptions of middle grade students: A review. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 32(3), 613-632.

Carpraro, M. M., Joffrion, H. (2006). Algebraic equations: Can middle school students meaningfully translate from words to mathematical symbols? Reading Psychology, 27(2), 147-164.

Clements, M. A. (2002). Multiple perspectives and multiple realities of school mathematics. Paper presented at The Seventh Annual International Conference of The Department of Science, Mathematics and Technical Education. Gadong: Brunei Darussalam.

Ellis, E. (2012). What's The Big Deal about Graphic Organizers? [PDF Document]. Retrieved From http://www.Alspdg.Org/MSS_PD_Handouts/Hobigdealaboutgos.pdf

Gould, J., Gould, E. (1999). Four square writing method for grades 1-3. Carthage, IL: Teaching and Learning Company.

Gurung, C. (2003). A comparative study of performance in arithmetic word problems in English language between Bruneian and Gurkha students. Thesis. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Khalid, M., Tengah, M. K. A. (2007). Communication in Mathematics: The role of language and its consequences for English as second language students. Progress Report, Collaborative Studies on Innovations for Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Different Cultures (II) Lesson Study Focusing on Mathematical Communication. CRICED: University Of Tsukuba.

Khalid, M. (2009). Mathematical thinking in Brunei curriculum: Implementation issues and challenges. Retrieved from http://irep.iium.edu.my/37258/2/Madihah_Khalid.pdf

Khoo, S. C. (2001). The teaching and learning geometry. Dissertation. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Khoo, S.J., Shahrill, M., Yusof, N., Ling, G. C. L., Roslan, R. (2016). Graphic organizer in action: Solving secondary mathematics word problems. Journal on Mathematics Education, 7(2), 83-90.

Lim, T.H. (2000). The teaching and learning of algebraic equations and factorization in O-Level mathematics: A Case Study. Thesis. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Madani, N. A., Tengah, K. A., Prahmana, R. C. I. (2018). Using bar model to solve word problems on profit, loss and discount. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1088 (1), 012103.

Matzin, E. S., Shahrill. M. (2015). Investigating lower secondary students' algebraic knowledge in solving algebra problems. Paper presented at the 18th International Conference on Education (ICE 2015), Education in the 21st Century: Present Practices, Future Directions. "What's Next?". Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Ministry of Education (2013). The national educational system for the 21st century: SPN21. Gadong: Ministry Of Education.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NCTM. (2010). Why is teaching with problem solving important to student learning. Reston, VA: NCTM.

Nayan, S. (1998). Problem-solving errors by primary six children in specialist teachers' project schools. Dissertation. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Polya, G. (1944). How to solve it. New York: Doubleday and Co.

Pungut, M.H.A., Shahrill, M. (2014). Students' English language abilities in solving mathematics word problems. Mathematics Education Trends and Research, 2014, 1-11.

Raimah, M. (2001). An investigation of errors made by primary six pupils on word problems involving fractions. Thesis. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Rasidah, J. (1997). A comparative performance in solving mathematical word problems in English and in Bahasa Melayu. Thesis. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Rosney, Z. (2008). Lower secondary teachers' beliefs about Mathematics teaching and learning. Thesis. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Sai, F. L., Shahrill, M., Tan, A., Han, S. H. (2018). Arithmetic learning with the use of graphic organizer. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 948(1), 1-10.

Said, S.N., Tengah, K.A., (2021). Supporting solving word problems involving ratio through the bar model. Infinity Journal, 10(1), 149-160.

Saman, A. (2000). Investigating understanding by primary six pupils of word problems involving multiplication and division. Thesis. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Sakdiah, L. (2008). Research in mathematics teaching in Brunei Darussalam. Dissertation. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Schwanebeck, T. (2008). A study of the summarization of word problems. Thesis. Nebraska: University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tengah, K.A. (2011). Using simplified sudoku to promote and improve pattern discovery skills among school children. Journal of Mathematics Education at Teacher College, 2, 53-62.

Ulat, T. (2006). Primary 5 pupils' performance on mathematical word problems using model drawing/box-diagram strategy. Thesis. Gadong: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Van Amerom, B. A. (2003). Focusing on informal strategies when linking arithmetic to early algebra. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 54(1), 63-75.

Veloo, P. K., Real, F. L. (1994). Drawing diagrams and solving word problems: A study of a sample of Bruneian primary and secondary school children. Retrieved from https://www.merga.net.au/documents/rp_veloo_real_1994.pdf

Veloo, P. K. (1996). Teaching children to draw diagrams in solving word problems: An exploratory study. Retrieved from https://www.merga.net.au/documents/rp_veloo_1996.pdf

Veloo, P. K., Wong, K.W. (1997). Multi-model instruction. An integrated instructional approach to promote conceptual understanding in school mathematics. In Chen, L.L. & Toh, K.A. (Eds), Educational Research Association 1997 Annual Conference Proceedings: Research Across the Disciplines (Pp. 292-306). Singapore: Educational Research Association.

Yusof, J. (2003). Mathematical errors in fractions word: A longitudinal study of primary level pupils in Brunei. Thesis. Perth: Curtin University of Technology.

Zollman, A. (2009a). Mathematical Graphic Organizers. Teaching children mathematics, 16(4), 222-229.

Zollman, A. (2009b). Students using Graphic Organizers to improve problem solving. Middle School Journal, 41(3), 4-12.

Zollman, A. (2011a). The use of Graphic Organizers to improve student and teachers problem- solving skills and abilities. Retrieved From http://directorymathsed.net/download/zollman.pdf

Zollman, A. (2011b). Write is right: Using Graphic Organizers to improve mathematical problem solving. In Reeder, S. L., (Ed.) Proceedings of The 38th Annual Meeting of The Research Council on Mathematics Learning, 76-83. Cincinnati, OH: RCML.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12928/ijeme.v5i1.18072

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2021 Cheau Mei Wong, Khairul Amilin Tengah

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


International Journal on Emerging Mathematics Education
Kampus 2 Universitas Ahmad Dahlan
Jalan Pramuka No. 42, Pandeyan, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta - 55161
Telp. (0274) 563515, ext. 4902; Fax. (0274) 564604
Email: ijeme@uad.ac.id


p-ISSN: 2549-4996 | e-ISSN: 2548-5806


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

View IJEME's Stats