Problem Solving Prompts for the 7th Grade: Assessing Students through Communication in Problem Solving

Mathematics is fun to learn, but for the learners nowadays mathematics is the most difficult subject because of so many numbers and long solutions. But the learners should realize that math is fun and exciting to learn, not just because it has numbers, shapes and graphs but because we can also use it and help us in our everyday living. The researcher aims to answer the following question which is what is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of gender and likeness in mathematics, what are the common problems of the students in problem solving, what are the effects of communication in learning problem solving and what are the effects of communication in the student’s social skills. In this study, the researcher uses a descriptive method. The researcher is trying to know what are effects of communication in the students in learning of mathematics especially in problem solving in the grade 7 students of Lucena City National High School-Mayao Parada Extension. The researcher gathered data for the statement of the problems of the study using a questionnaire as an instrument. The data will be analyzed by the researcher after gathering it. Psychologists have made different philosophic assumptions about the nature of the learning process. Those who hold that learning is determined by the forming connections between the environment stimuli and useful responses are called associationist. A representative of this view, E.B. Thorndike (1922), recommended that in mathematics, for example, students perform drill and practice on correct procedures and facts to strengthen correct mental bonds. Associationists also argued that curricula should be structured to keep related concepts well separated, so that students did not form incorrect ties. After gathering the data needed the researcher concluded that majority of the respondent are female which is 60% or 33 and the level of their likeness in Mathematics is much which has 67.27% of the total respondents. The most common problem in problem solving according to the respondents is “too many solution” and the least is “confusion in putting mathematical signs”. “It gives the students the chance to experience success in mathematical works” is the top effects of communication in learning problem solving and “They work in group, interact with and help each other on a given task” is the rank 1 in the effects of communication in the student’s social skills. The researcher gives the following recommendation for the students to get actively involved in every activity in Mathematics, to interact with others and try to communicate well in mathematical language and dissect the problems, for the teachers they must implement a collaborative and cooperative learning in teaching Mathematics and to use Math talks after every activity in order for the students to understand math concept more.