Inquiry Project Report: Impact of Teaching on Problem Solving Skills

This report presents an inquiry project investigating the impact of teaching strategies on students' ability to solve mathematical word problems. The study employs action research and case study methodologies to analyze the effectiveness of various instructional approaches. The introduction highlights the increasing importance of problem-solving skills in the current educational landscape, emphasizing the need for effective training, particularly for students with learning difficulties. The literature review examines existing research on mathematical problem-solving skills in preschool and elementary school students, exploring factors such as age, gender, and problem types. The methodology section details the use of action research, case studies, and data collection methods, including questionnaires, pre- and post-tests, and formative and summative assessments. The findings section presents the results of the case studies, analyzing the impact of the implemented strategies on student performance. The discussion section interprets the findings, drawing connections to the literature and addressing the research questions. The conclusion summarizes the key insights and implications of the study, offering recommendations for future research and practice. Appendices include supporting materials such as school maps, classroom photographs, analysis of learning, planning webs, data collection templates, and timelines.