The influence of students’ engagement in mathematical problem solving activities

• Published in: Interdisciplinary journal of education research Vol. 7; no. 1; p. a24
• Main Authors: Salami, Olajumoke Olayemi, Spangenberg, Erica Dorethea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: ERRCD Forum 29.05.2025
• Subjects: factor analysis; mathematics problem-solving; students’ engagement; students’ performance; sustainability
• ISSN: 2710-2114; 2710-2122
• DOI: 10.38140/ijer-2025.vol7.1.24

The ability to retain and sustain students’ engagement in mathematics is crucial for fostering a lifelong interest in a subject that often turns students off. Problem-solving techniques are dynamic, particularly when integrated into teaching and learning in mathe­matics. This study evaluated how engaging students in mathematical problem-solving activities influenced their performance and learning outcomes in the subject. To achieve the set objectives, three hundred grade-eight students from twelve schools across Abuja, Nigeria, were sampled and analysed. The analyses included de­scriptive statistics, factor analysis for grouping prob­lem-solving activities into distinct categories, and Pear­son's correlation coefficient. The results showed that in­creased engagement in research-based problem-solving activities correlated with enhanced student perfor­mance across three key areas of achievement: knowledge, comprehension, and application. There­fore, the study recommends that students should be equipped with activities, facilities, and opportunities that will enhance their problem-solving skills in mathe­matics.