Metaphorical Thinking of Students in Solving Algebraic Problems based on Their Cognitive Styles

Abstract

One of thinking concepts which connects real life to mathematics is called metaphorical thinking. Metaphor and modelling are two closely related concepts. Besides, each individual performs different cognitive styles, such as field independent (FI) and field dependent (FD) cognitive styles. This factor possibly leads to different metaphorical thinking in solving algebraic problems. The participants of this qualitative research consist of two students at grade 7 of one of junior high school in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, with FI and FD as their cognitive styles. Based on the findings, it is found that: 1) Metaphorical thinking of the student with FI cognitive style in solving the algebraic problem in the stage of understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back is considered to achieve the target for each criteria of CREATE; 2) Metaphorical thinking of the student with FD cognitive style in solving the problem in the all four stages but could not reveal all criteria mentioned in CREATE. This happens as the student is unable to find the appropriate metaphor to the algebraic problem. Therefore, the student does not need to explain the suitability of the metaphor to the algebraic problem.