Teacher views about secondary school students' skills on using problem solving strategies

In this study, the opinions of teachers about the skills of secondary school students to use problem solving strategies in the math problems they encountered were examined. The study group of the research consists of 18 mathematics teachers working in public secondary schools in Bingöl province in the 2018-2019 academic year. The research data were obtained through a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researcher. The analysis of the data obtained from the interview form was carried out in two stages by using descriptive analysis and content analysis methods. Before the research, mathematics teachers were informed about 11 of the problem solving strategies and semi-structured interview forms related to these strategies were asked to be filled. These strategies include systematic listing, estimation and control strategy, diagram drawing, finding correlation (seeking relationships), using variables (writing equality or inequality), guessing, benefiting from the solution of similar simple problems, working backwards, sieving, making tables and judgment. According to the results obtained; It was seen that students use prediction and control strategy and reasoning strategy in mathematical problems they face. It is concluded that they do not much prefer strategies that require diagram drawing. According to the opinions of the teachers, although problem solving strategies are advantages for their students, it is concluded that the students are not aware of these problem solving strategies. Teachers have judged these problem solving strategies for students according to the problem they encountered and recommended that they use the most appropriate strategy.