Students' Achievement and Problem-Solving Skills in Mathematics through Open-Ended Approach

Gerald C. Bayarcal¹ and Denis A. Tan^1,

¹Science Education Department, Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, Bukidnon, 8710 Philippines

Cite this paper:
Gerald C. Bayarcal and Denis A. Tan. Students' Achievement and Problem-Solving Skills in Mathematics through Open-Ended Approach. American Journal of Educational Research. 2023; 11(4):183-190. doi: 10.12691/education-11-4-2

Abstract

One of the instructional approaches that have the potential to help students develop their problem-solving skills is an open-ended approach (OEA). OEA focuses on finding the correct response rather than offering a single solution to a problem at hand. This study investigated the achievement and problem-solving skills in Mathematics of the Grade 8 students in Binuangan National High School through an open-ended approach (OEA). It sought to: identify the levels of achievement in Mathematics of students who were exposed to OEA and those exposed to non-OEA; determine the problem-solving skills of students who were exposed to OEA and those exposed to non-OEA in terms of: (a) self-confidence about solving problems; (b) putting effort in solving problems; and (c) procedure followed to solve problems; compare the levels of achievement in Mathematics of students who were exposed to OEA and those exposed to non-OEA; and find out the difference on problem-solving skills of students who were exposed to OEA and those exposed to non-OEA. The researchers adopted the quasi-experimental research design in the study. The experimental group and the control group's pretest results showed very poor student achievement; however, after exposure to OEA, the experimental group's posttest results showed great student achievement. Compared to OEA and non-OEA, students exposed to OEA demonstrated greater problem-solving skills. Between the pretest and posttest, OEA considerably raised students' achievement levels. Additional findings showed that students exposed to OEA had significantly better problem-solving skills than students exposed to non-OEA.

Keywords:
achievement problem-solving skills open-ended approach

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