Investigating middle school students’ problem solving approaches and geometric habits of mind

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the geometry problem solving processes and geometric habits of mind of the middle school students. Within the qualitative inquiry, case study design was implemented. The participants consisted of 4 eighth grade students enrolled in a public school. Three open-ended questions that have the potential to reveal geometric habits of mind were used and clinical interviews were conducted. The solution approaches of the students were determined and then analyzed using Geometric Habits of Mind (GHoM by Driscoll et al., 2007) framework by the stages of content analysis. The solution approaches of the students for each problem were analyzed and codes and themes were defined in line with the theoretical framework. This study indicated that the students were able to reason in various ways in the context of the components and indicators of the GHoM. In addition, while students’ geometric thinking examined in accordance with the components, it is clearly seen that the students have adequate geometric habits of mind.