Metaphors in the teaching of mathematical problem solving

Abstract

This article reports on a study that investigated the teaching of mathematical problem solving from a teacher's perspective. The study focused on three teachers and their way of making sense of teaching problem solving. Data collected through interviews and classroom observations were analyzed in the context of an interpretive qualitative study to understand the meanings of the participants' classroom processes. The findings indicated that the participants unconsciously constructed personal metaphors that became the basis of their conceptualization of problems and making sense of their teaching. "Community", "adventure" and "game" were determined to be the key metaphors of the three participants, respectively. These metaphors embodied their personal experiences and personal practical beliefs that provided the unique meanings associated with their classroom processes. The outcome suggested that the study of such metaphors could be a promising avenue in enhancing mathematics teacher education and in problem solving research in the quest to make the teaching of problem solving more meaningful and effective in a classroom context. © 1997 Kluwer Academic Publishers.