The role of reflection before action, on action and after action on mathematics problem solving for engineering students

Abstract

Mathematics subjects are important in engineering fields and have a significant effect on academic performance of engineering students. Some researchers recognized mathematics as a path for talented students to enter in engineering. It is also a factor of progress or failure of engineering students. The aim of present study is to investigate the trend of mathematics problem solving of engineering students with a reflective approach. A purposive sample was selected among the students of three engineering subjects which were civil, mechanical and electrical engineering of Bahonar University. The data was collected using interview sessions. It was a challenge in this research to explore the students’ solutions by using reflection during their mathematics problem solving. Applying reflection in investigating and discovering solutions of problem solving processes are studied. Some of findings indicates that reflection in three categories (reflection before action, reflection on action and reflection after action) has a positive effect on mathematics problem solving of engineering students and also it has improved the mathematics problem solving

Keywords

• : engineering education problem solving reflection before action reflection on action reflection after action