Problem Solving Strategies of Selected Pre-service Secondary School Mathematics Teachers in Malaysia

Abstract

Problem solving strategies of eight pre‐service secondary school mathematics teachers
(PSSMTs) were examined in this study. A case study research design was employed and
clinical interview technique was used to collect the data. Materials collected for analysis
consisted of audiotapes and videotapes of clinical interviews,subjects’ notes and drawings,
and researchers’ notes during the interview. Strategies used by PSSMTs to solve a problem
called “the fencing problem” were identified. Findings of the study suggest that the
subjects used combinations of different strategies to solve problems. The implications of
the finding were also discussed.