Journal on Mathematics Education
Vol. 15 No. 3 (2024): Journal on Mathematics Education

The effects of gradual release of assistance instruction on students’ heuristics, confidence, and attitude toward independent problem-solving

Cerveza, Ryan L. (Unknown)
Lapinid, Minie Rose C. (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jul 2024

Abstract

The 'Gradual Release of Assistance (GRA) instruction' was implemented among pre-service teachers in a problem-solving course designed to reduce students' resistance to independent problem-solving. This approach aimed to enhance students' heuristic skills, confidence, and attitudes toward problem-solving. The GRA instruction encompassed activities with progressively decreasing levels of instructional support across three stages: the maximum assistance stage, the medium assistance stage, and the independent problem-solving stage. Utilizing an embedded multiple-case design and a simple time-series analysis of six individual cases, this research explored how pre-service teachers applied heuristics and their confidence and attitudes toward problem-solving. The study revealed improvements in heuristic application among cases with high and medium mathematical abilities, as well as increased confidence and positive attitudes toward problem-solving within this cohort. However, there were no notable improvements in using different heuristics among cases with low mathematical ability. The findings discussed the observed changes and consistencies, offering plausible explanations that underscore the significance of GRA instruction in alleviating students' reluctance to engage in independent problem-solving.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jme

Publisher

Subject

Education Mathematics Social Sciences Other

Description

The Journal on Mathematics Education (JME) is an international electronic journal that provides a platform for publishing original research articles, systematic literature reviews (invited contributions), and short communications related to mathematics education. The whole spectrum of research in ...