Problem based learning method/model

In the problem based learning model the students’ turn from passive listeners of information receivers to active, free self-learner and problem solvers. It also shifts the emphasis of educational programs from teaching to learning. It enables the students to learn new knowledge by facing the problems to be solved instead of feeling boredom. Problem based learning affect positively certain other attributes such as problem solving, information acquisition, and information sharing with others, group works, and communication etc. Again problems solving is a deliberate and serious act, involves the use of some novel method, higher thinking and systematic planned steps for the acquisition set goals. The basic and foremost aim of this learning model is acquisition of such information which based on facts (Yuzhi, 2003 & Mangle, 2008).

According to Gallagher et. al,(1999) in problem based learning environment, students act as professionals and are confronted with problems that require clearly defining and well structured problems, developing hypothesis, assessing, analyzing, utilizing data from different sources, revising initial hypothesis as the data collected developing and justifying solutions based on evidence and reasoning. The practice of problem based learning is richly diverse as educators around the world and in a wide range of disciplined have discovered it as a route to innovating education, The educators used problem solving method as an educational tool to enhance learning as a relevant and practical experience, to have students’ problem solving skills and to promote students’ independent learning skill. Eng (2001) opined problem based learning as a philosophy aims to design and deliver a total learning environment that is holistic to student-centered and student empowerment.

Presenting the students with a problem, give them opportunity to take risks, to adopt new understandings, to apply knowledge, to work in context and to enjoy the thrill of being discoverers. Tick, (2007) stated that in the student-centered learning environment that is desirable for problem based learning, the central figure of the learning-teaching process is the student. The learning objective is not the reproduction, recall and learning of passively received learning material but the active and creative engagement of students in group work and in individual study thus transferring the skills and knowledge. The individual, autonomous self-directed learning gives the freedom to the learner to decide individually and consciously on the learning strategy and on the time scale, s/he wants to follow.

The most important achievement of a teacher is to help his/her students along the road to independent learning. In problem based learning, teacher acts just as facilitator, rather than a primary source of information or dispenser of knowledge. Roh, (2003) argued that within problem based learning environments, teachers' instructional abilities are more critical than in the traditional teacher-centered classrooms. Beyond presenting mathematical knowledge to the students, teachers in problem based learning environments must engage students in marshaling information and using their knowledge in applied sand real settings. Evidence of poor performance in mathematics by elementary school students highlight the facts that the most desired technological, scientific and business application for mathematics cannot be sustained. This makes it paramount to seek for a strategy for teaching mathematics that aims at improving its understanding and performance by students practically (Okigbo & Osuafor, 2008). Problem solving as a method of teaching may be used to accomplish the instructional roles of learning basic facts, concepts, and procedure, as well as goals for problem solving. Problem solving is a major part of Mathematics has many applications and often those applications represent important problems in, mathematics. We include problem solving in school mathematics because it can stimulate the interest and enthusiasm of the students (Wilson, 1993).