Contextual Factors in the Open Approach-Based Mathematics Classroom Affecting Development of Students’ Metacognitive Strategies

Ariya Suriyon, Maitree Inprasitha, Kiat Sangaroon

Center for Research in Mathematics Education, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
Department Doctoral Program in Mathematics Education, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

DOI: 10.4236/sm.2013.34038                

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the effect that contextual factors have on the development of students’ metacognitive strategies in the open approach-based mathematics classroom: the framework for learning and teaching activities in the class, the teacher’s role, and students’ role. The methodology was based on ethnographic research and Begle’s conceptual framework (1969), which focused on observation and study on the nature of occurrences. In the context, the researcher conducted participatory classroom observation. The target groups were a mathematics teacher, who is a student as a math teaching practitioner, and four elementary school students at Grade 1 ranging from 6 to 7 years of age from Koo Kham Pittayasan School. Data were collected from 3 learning units totaling 6 study periods. Qualitative data analysis procedures were based on analyzing videos, protocols, students’ written work, and time units for dealing with activities and narrative description. The concept of 4 open approach-based teaching steps (Inprasitha, 2010) was considered for the analysis of the teacher’s teaching behavior and students’ problem solving behavior. The study findings suggest that contextual factors in the open approach-based mathematics classroom affect the development of students’ metacognitive strategies in which the teacher has planned learning management related to learning unit structures and focused on instructional activities allowing students “to create knowledge from learning how to solve problems by themselves”. In addition, the study demonstrates that the teacher and students have different roles in each teaching step.

Keywords

Contextual Factors; Metacognitive Strategies; Lesson Study; Open Approach

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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