THE LEVEL OF SOLVING ROUTINE AND NON-ROUTINE PROBLEMS INVOLVING

DIFFERENT TYPES OF NUMERICAL EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS AMONG

GRADE SIX STUDENTS OF KIBLAWAN SOUTH DISTRICT:
BASIS FOR A PROPOSED AUTOMATED
INTERVENTION MATERIAL

An Action Research
Presented to the
District Research Committee

ARNIE FE A. CANACAN, MAED

MARITESS L. BONGAITAN, MT I
REYMOND P. SAMORANOS, MAEd
BERNADETH M. CUSTODION, EdD
Kiblawan South District
DIVISION OF DAVAO DEL SUR

October 2021
 I. Context and Rationale

International Mathematics tests focus on problem solving; thus, these tests

include non-routine problems too. Romanian pupils have high scores, above

international average on routine problems, but they obtain lower scores than the

average on non-routine problems (Marchis, 2012).

In order to be able to solve non-routine problems, students’ problem solving

competence has to be developed. According to PISA evaluators problem solving

competency is an individual’s capacity to engage in cognitive processing to

understand and resolve problem situations where a method of solution is not

immediately obvious. It includes the willingness to engage with such situations in

order to achieve one’s potential as a constructive and reflective citizen (OECD,

2010). They have extended the cognitive domain underlined in definition used for the

PISA 2003 evaluation by the affective domain: the willingness of solving problems.

Students’ interest in mathematics, their beliefs in the utility of the mathematical

knowledge in their future career or in their everyday life determine in a fundamental

way their problem-solving behavior (Zhou, He & Lafontaine, 2020).

However, COVID 19 affects the learning performance of our school children in

this test of time, no face-to-face classes in our Department of Education, the four-

learning delivery modality was presented and applied by our system, no face-to-face

classes in our Department of Education. In a far-flung place, such as Kiblawan

South District, the majority of schools only employ Modular Distance Learning as our

teaching method, with no interaction with teachers and only modules to help

students understand the lesson, especially in mathematics.

 On the other hand, In Kiblawan South District, according to the result of the test

conducted by Grade 6 teachers to selected 195 grade six students, 45 students got

the almost perfect scores but 150 students or 77% who took the test got the poor

average score in solving routine and non-routine problems involving different types

of numerical expressions and equations.

Thus, the researchers conducted this action research study in order to assess

the level of students in solving routine and non-routine problems involving different

types of numerical expressions and equations and be able to develop appropriate

automated intervention material.

II. Proposed Innovation, Intervention and Strategy

The results of this research pushed the researcher to come up into

recommendations that may address on the situation about the level of

understanding on solving routine and non-routine problems involving different

types of numerical expressions and equations of the pupils with the help of

their parents during COVID-19 pandemic. Developing an Intervention Plan

may be the best option to boost the level of understanding by our learners.

III. Action Research Questions

This study aims to determine the level of understanding on solving

routine and non-routine problems involving different types of numerical

expressions and equations of the pupils in this time of COVID-19

pandemic.
 This specifically aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of understanding on solving routine and non-routine

problems involving different types of numerical expressions and

equations of the pupils?

2. What intervention program can be crafted based on the results of the

study?

IV. Action Research Methods

This action research uses the following methods in getting the relevant

data and information in completing this study. The methods include the

emphasis of the participants and/or other sources of data and information,

data gathering methods, and the data analysis plan.

Participants

The participants of this study are the 195 grade six students of the Top 5

Big Schools in Kiblawan District, Idea Elementary school with 35 students,

Cogon Bacaca Elementary School with 50 students, Bagong Negros

Elementary School with 44 students, Isabelo Calma Sr. Central Elementary

School with 48 students and Marcos Sombilon Elementary School with 18

students.

This study uses descriptive technique in research wherein we will

determine the level of understanding of on solving routine and non-routine

problems involving different types of numerical expressions and equations of

the pupils.
Data Gathering Methods

The necessary data was gathered personally by the researcher using the

following steps.

1. Asking Permission to Conduct the Study. The researcher asked

permission from the District Principal In-Charge of Kiblawan District to

conduct the study.

After the approval for the conduct of the study, a letter was sent to the

school heads of Idea Elementary School, Cogon Bacaca Elementary School,

Bagong Negros Elementary School, Isabelo Calma Sr. Elementary School

and Marcos Sombilon Elementary School.

2. Administration and Retrieval. Upon the approval, the researcher

personally distributed and administered the research instrument to students

in Kiblawan District to ensure 100 percent retrieval of the questionnaire. A

Certificate of Appearance was secured from the District Supervisor to vouch

that the researcher had honestly collected the data from the participants of

the study.

3. Collection of the Data and Processing. The data gathered was tallied,

tabulated, analyzed and interpreted statistically.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS AND REFLECTION

 The purpose of this study was to describe the level of understanding on

solving routine and non-routine problems involving different types of

numerical expressions and equations.

The research aimed to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of understanding on solving routine and non-

routine problems involving different types of numerical expressions and

equations of the pupils?

2. What intervention program can be crafted based on the results of

the study?

Table 1. Evaluation on the level of solving routine and non-routine

problems involving different types of numerical expressions and
equations

School Total Number Total Percentage of

Students Number of Students did
Took the Test Students did not pass the
not pass the test
test
Idea Elementary School 35 32 91
Cogon Bacaca 50 41 82
Elementary School
Bagong Negros 44 35 80
Elementary School
Isabelo Calma Sr 48 32 67
Central Elementary
School
Marcos Sombilon 18 10 56
Elementary School
195 150 77
 As shown in Table 1, that the final evaluation on the level of solving

routine and non-routine problems involving different types of numerical

expressions and equations, got an overall percentage score of 77% or 150 of

the students did not pass the test conducted by the District Mathematics

Team on the test entitled solving routine and non-routine problems involving

different types of numerical expressions and equations. Therefore, it is the

least mastered competency in our district that really need attention and some

possible intervention.

REFLECTION

Based on the findings, it could be concluded that solving routine and non-

routine problems involving different types of numerical expressions and

equations is the least mastered competency that needs immediate solution.

The crafting of Automated Intervention Material may be realized to improve

the performance of students in solving routine and non-routine problems

involving different types of numerical expressions and equations.

AUTOMATED INTERVETION MATERIAL PROGRAM

“FINDING THE MATHPIECE”

Findings Objectives Activities Persons Time Frame Expected

Involved Outputs
The final Craft an Develop Mathematics October 25- Crafted
evaluation on the Automated Automated Coordinators November 7, Automated
level of solving Intervention Interventio 2021 Intervention
routine and non- Material to bridge n Material Mathematics Material entitled:
routine problems the gap on the In-Charge Finding the
involving different level of MathPiece
types of understanding of
numerical students on
expressions and solving routine and
equations, got an non-routine
overall problems involving
percentage score different types of
of 77% or 150 of numerical
the students did expressions and
not pass the test. equations

REFERENCES

Marchis, I. (2012). Non-Routine Problems in Primary Mathematics Workbooks from

Romania. Acta Didactica Napocensia, 5(3), 49-56.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2010). Education

at a glance 2010: OECD indicators. Paris: OECD.

Zhou, J., He, J., & Lafontaine, D. (2020). Cross-cultural comparability and validity of
metacognitive knowledge in reading in PISA 2009: a comparison of two scoring
methods. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 27(6), 635-654.

V. Plans for Dissemination and Utilization

The outcomes of this study great relevance that can be disseminated

through various mechanisms and platforms which are recognized by the

Department of Education. This could also be shared through school, district,

division, region, national or even international conferences which this study

might be of importance. In the school or district level, this could also be

shared through LAC Sessions, In-Service Training, and other related

conferences and programs.

Furthermore, in utilizing the result, this will give additional ideas in creating

plans and a big help to students. Officials of the Department of Education

may give attention on the results of the study and its recommendation in
 making effective policies and programs that will address the problems of the

parents in teaching and guiding their children in their studies in this pandemic

situation.

Annex 1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL APPLICATION FORM AND ENDORSEMENT OF

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR

A. RESEARCH INFORMATION
RESEARCH TITLE:
THE LEVEL OF SOLVING ROUTINE AND NON-ROUTINE PROBLEMS INVOLVING
DIFFERENT TYPES OF NUMERICAL EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS AMONG
GRADE SIX STUDENTS OF KIBLAWAN SOUTH DISTRICT:
BASIS FOR A PROPOSED AUTOMATED
INTERVENTION MATERIAL

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH

This this action research study isconducted in order to assess the level of students in
solving routine and non-routine problems involving different types of numerical expressions
and equations and be able to develop appropriate automated intervention material.
RESEARCH CATEGORY (Check only RESEARCH AGENDA CATEGORY (Check
one) only one main research theme)
o National o Child Protection
o Region o Human Resource Development
o Schools Division o Governance
o District  Teaching and Learning
 School
(Check up to one cross-cutting theme, if
applicable)
o DRRM
(Check only one) o Gender and Development
 Action Research o Inclusive Education
o Basic Research o Others (please specify):
______________

FUND SOURCE (e.g. BERF, SEF,

AMOUNT
Others)*
Basic Education Research Fund (BERF) PhP 1,000.00

*Indicate also if proponent will use personal funds