The Levels of 8th grade students use of types of knowledge used problem solving process

SUMMARY The Levels of 8.th Grade Students Use of Types of Knowledge Used Problem Solving Process That problem solving is in the centre of mathematics curriculum have resulted that mathematics educators give much more importance to this area. Studies releated to this area focus on the factors which effect on problem solving process. Cognitive studies which investigate factors that effect problem solving process showed problem solving achievement based not only procedural skills but also types of knowledge used in this area. The purpose of this study is to compare between how 8 th grade students use the types of knowledge in problem solving process and how their ability to use the types of knowledge affects their success. At the first stage of this study, five word problems that are appropriate for their levels were prepared in order to gather date. Secondly, these five word problems were given to be solved by students at 8 th grades in Trabzon. The behavior of the students was observed in the process of problem solving by using clinical interview methods. Students' conversation with researcher during the clinical interviews were recorded and then transcript. The solutions of the problems solved by the students and conversation were qualitatively analyzed. It was determine that how the students used types of knowledge while solving problems. The date showed that students using effectively types of knowledge related to problems were successful in both representation problems and reach correct answer. In addition, it was revealed that strategic knowledge used in evaluation stage is important. Students making procedural errors at the carry out the plan, due to using reasonable strategic knowledge, correct error and then reach the correct answer. It is concluded that a training should give for students in which they analyze problems by drawing diagrams and construct models and it is important to make students use types of knowledge effectively. Key Words: Problem Solving, Semantic, Schema, Algorithmic, Strategic knowledge