Effect of Knowledge Forum on primary mathematics understanding

Abstract

(Uncorrected OCR) Abstract

This study is designed to examine the effectiveness of Knowledge Forum (KF) on foresting mathematical concept understanding and problem solving; and on enhancing attitude towards and beliefs of mathematic word problems.

Thirty-eight sixth graders from a Hong Kong pnmary school were introduced to KF in mathematics proportional reasoning learning for five weeks. The students spent about one hour a week at school to solve ratio and proportion problems through KF and another hour to reflect on their learning by whole class

discussion.

Before and after the experimental program, instruments like traditional mathematics tests, mathematics word problems tests, beliefs and attitude questionnaires were administered in both the control and the experimental groups. An ANCOVA analysis was conducted to the data collected by the four quantitative instruments. During the program, the experimental group's KF notes and learning diaries were collected and analysed qualitatively to evaluate

the knowledge building process.

The results suggested that the KF not only had a significant positive effect on mathematics performance and problem-solving competency, it also yielded a positive influence on beliefs of mathematic word problem. However, the KF

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had no impact on attitude towards mathematic word problem.

There were

evidences that some subjects were applying the five-step metacognitive strategy and appropriate heuristics during the problem solving process. Furthermore, there were mathematical discourses on the concept of ratio and proportion.

The information obtained from this study will be helpful in gaining a better understanding of the computer-supported collaborative learning environment, in particular, the Knowledge Forum and mathematics problem solving. Despite of the constraints, the findings of this study may have implications for developing instructional programs and improving mathematical teaching methods for teachers in elementary schools.

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