Abstract

SEPULVEDA LOPEZ, Armando; MEDINA GARCIA, Cynthia  and  SEPULVEDA JAUREGUI, Diana Itzel. Problem solving and the use of tasks in the teaching of mathematics. Educ. mat [online]. 2009, vol.21, n.2, pp. 79-115. ISSN 1665-5826.

In this article some aspects related to the development of the resolution of problems in the mathematical education are analyzed as well as some of the crucial actions that lead to their solutions. It is reported the work carried out by high school students when they confronted a set of problems or tasks involving different methods of solutions in an instructional environment focused on the resolution of problems. During the implementation, the students worked in small groups, presented their ideas to the class and defended them, and they revised their own attempts of solution as a result of the critics and opinions that occurred through their presentations and discussions in class. In this context, the students exhibited different levels of understanding that allowed them to comprehend the fundamental ideas associated with the solution and, eventually, they solved the tasks.

Keywords : resolution of problems; tasks; understanding; understanding cycles; instruction.