Challenging students through problem solving

Presentation of abstract

For over a decade I have researched the possibilities and opportunities offered when encountering mathematics through problem solving at school entry. At first, we tested ways to implement problem solving in a setting where students could not (yet) read or write. We soon focused on the mathematics that could be offered in such settings and activities within combinatorics, probability, spatial awareness and other mathematical areas were explored and implemented. Digital resources were developed and tested and more recently we have broadened our perspective on problem solving by including problem formulation in our activities. Despite a nonspecific focus on gifted students in these different phases, these students did become clearly visible and apparent. The setting of problem solving and problem formulation seemed to offer learning opportunities where gifted students were stimulated and where they challenged themselves to their capacity. In this keynote, I will shortly outline the project and provide examples of the activities used and the solutions given by students. Specific aspects of problem solving will be explored in relation to the needs of gifted students and a possible way forward will be described.

About associate professor Jorryt van Bommel

Karlstad University, Dalarna University, and Inland Norway University of Applied Science

Associate professor Jorryt van Bommelworks at Karlstad University and as a guest professor at Dalarna University and Inland Norway University of Applied Science. Over the past 20 years she has researched mathematics teaching at different levels and has focused on problem solving in the early years, differentiation in mathematics and professional development of teachers. In her keynote, Jorryt will focus on a longitudinal project on problem solving and connect this to the research on the needs of gifted students in mathematics. By investigating activities and the corresponding student solutions, the opportunities offered through problem solving will be explored.