THE IMPACT OF USING LESSON STUDY APPROACH ON STUDENTS' MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN QATAR

Abstract

Problem-solving ability, as a major element of mathematics curriculum, helps learners become competent individuals qualified and prepared to positively impact in their societies. This research study was designed to explore the impact of using lesson study approach with problem-based learning (PBL) on students’ mathematical problem solving ability. A Mixed methods research design was utilized to collect data, with a sample of 117 fifth grade students and 10 of their teachers in primary schools in Qatar. Quantitative data were obtained through student’s mathematical problem solving test, while semi-structured interviews with teachers and students’ work were utilized to collect the qualitative data. The analyses of variance (ANOVA) test was used to analyze quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used to analyze data collected through the semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that the Lesson Study approach with (PBL) had significantly improved students’ ability to solve mathematical problems, and promoted students’ skills, including perseverance, students’ thinking, reasoning, and using multiple representations.