Cognitive Competence and Problem-Solving Involving 1st Degree Algebraic Equations

This investigation explored the relationship between cognitive competence and performance in solving problems with 1st degree algebraic equations. Thirty-eight students, aged 12 to 15, attending the 8th year of primary education in a public school in Porto Alegre, were divided into two groups, according to high or low cognitive competence level, using WASI - Whimbey Analytical Skills Inventory. These students accomplished the Problem Solving 1st Degree Algebraic Equations Task (PSAET) sothe authors could inquire about the existence of connection between cognitive competence and problem solving, as well as to check differences in group performances. The results obtained were: significant correlation (p<0,001) between WASI and PSAET and significant difference (p<0,001) between two groups in reference to the performance in PSAET. Such results confirm previous findings, emphasizing the relationship between cognitive competence and performance in 1st degree algebraic equations problem solving. School education implications are discussed.

本研究探讨了认知能力与一阶代数方程解题表现之间的关联。研究招募了38名年龄介于12至15岁的学生，他们就读于阿雷格里港一所公立学校的八年级，研究者采用WASI（惠姆比分析技能量表，Whimbey Analytical Skills Inventory）根据其认知能力水平高低将其划分为两组。随后，所有学生完成了一阶代数方程解题任务（Problem Solving 1st Degree Algebraic Equations Task，缩写PSAET），以此探究认知能力与问题解决能力之间是否存在关联，并检验两组学生的表现差异。研究结果表明：WASI得分与PSAET得分存在显著相关性（p<0.001），两组学生在PSAET上的表现同样存在显著差异（p<0.001）。上述结果验证了此前的研究结论，进一步证实了认知能力与一阶代数方程解题表现之间的关联，本研究最后还讨论了其对学校教育的启示。