Pre-service teachers and ChatGPT in multistrategy problem-solving: Implications for mathematics teaching in primary schools

Abstract

This study compared the problem-solving abilities of ChatGPT and 58 pre-service teachers (PSTs) in solving a mathematical word problem using various strategies. PSTs were asked to solve a problem individually. Data was collected from PSTs’ submitted assignments, and their problem-solving strategies were analyzed. ChatGPT was also given the same problem to solve with various prompts, and the correctness of its solutions and problem-solving strategies were assessed alongside those of PSTs. The results indicated that PSTs used diverse strategies and achieved accurate solutions, but not always relevant strategies to children’s level of understanding. ChatGPT employed similar strategies to PSTs but mostly produced incorrect solutions, and its performance needed to be contextualized in the primary school context. The study highlights the potential of ChatGPT in mathematics teaching and informs teacher education programs about the possibility of using it in teaching problem-solving strategies.