Incorporating history of mathematics in open-ended problem solving: An empirical study

Ioannis Rizos; Nikolaos Gkrekas

doi:10.29333/ejmste/13025

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Ioannis Rizos ¹ ^* , Nikolaos Gkrekas ¹

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¹ Department of Mathematics, University of Thessaly, Lamia, GREECE^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

In this paper, we present a research project we conducted with 27 undergraduate students in a history of mathematics course in Greece during the academic year 2022-2023. In our study, we presented participants with an open-ended problem with historical background and evaluated their reactions and solving strategies. To reach findings we collected data via worksheets, questionnaires and interviews. We intended to focus on students’ techniques for open-ended issues while also investigating whether and how History of Mathematics may be included into its instruction. The results showed that such type of problems is able to catch the participants’ attention and support them in experimentation and development of multiple problem solving strategies. The students acquired a positive attitude towards the entire process, and they would like to repeat it in other university courses, too. This study might pave the way for a new curriculum that includes historically inspired open-ended assignments in school and university practice.

Keywords

open-ended problems
problem solving
hundred fowls problem
history of mathematics
mathematics education

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, 2023, Volume 19, Issue 3, Article No: em2242

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13025

Publication date: 03 Mar 2023

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Article Downloads: 807

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APA

Rizos, I., & Gkrekas, N. (2023). Incorporating history of mathematics in open-ended problem solving: An empirical study. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(3), em2242. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13025

Vancouver

Rizos I, Gkrekas N. Incorporating history of mathematics in open-ended problem solving: An empirical study. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2023;19(3):em2242. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13025

AMA

Rizos I, Gkrekas N. Incorporating history of mathematics in open-ended problem solving: An empirical study. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2023;19(3), em2242. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13025

Chicago

Rizos, Ioannis, and Nikolaos Gkrekas. "Incorporating history of mathematics in open-ended problem solving: An empirical study". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2023 19 no. 3 (2023): em2242. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13025

Harvard

Rizos, I., and Gkrekas, N. (2023). Incorporating history of mathematics in open-ended problem solving: An empirical study. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(3), em2242. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13025

MLA

Rizos, Ioannis et al. "Incorporating history of mathematics in open-ended problem solving: An empirical study". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 19, no. 3, 2023, em2242. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13025