Analysis and classification of inappropriate strategies used by students to find the winning strategy in catch the frog and daisy games

Abstract

This research is framed in the area of didactic mathematics, particularly within the so-called small strategy games. These games are intrinsically related to problem solving, because the different winning strategies used to solve a game are often similar to those applied in problem solving situations. This paper analyses the responses provided by students while playing the games Frog Catcher and Daisy in pairs. This is an empirical study with 422 students in years 1 and 3 of Spanish Secondary Education (ESO) [years 8 and 10 of secondary education (IGCSE)]. The objective is to carry out a qualitative analysis of the different types of inappropriate strategies used by the students in their effort to find the winning heuristics in both games. In addition, a classification of these inappropriate strategies is established.