First grade mathematics Some Ideas of Problem-Based Learning
29 How competent are teachers in planning their lesson? This is a matter of checking the selected
problem whether it is appropriate to the students abilities, analyzing the problem and its solution for the appropriate hints and guiding questions for helping students to move ahead.
As problem solving is a part of problem-based learning, in implementing PBL environments, teachers instructional abilities become critically important as they take on increased responsibilities in addition
to the presentation of mathematical knowledge. Beyond gaining proficiency in algorithms and mastering foundational knowledge in mathematics, students in PBL environments must learn a variety
of mathematical processes and skills related communication, representation, modeling, and reasoning. Preparing teachers for their roles as managers of PBL environments presents new challenges both to
novices and to experienced mathematics teachers Smith, 1998; Erickson, 1999; Lubienski, 1999Lewellen Mikusa, 1999, as cited by Roh, 2003.
Thus, teachers need to develop their abilities, knowledge and skills related to problem-solving strategies, problems selection or creation, and problem-based learning. This module is just a beginning.
There are many resources available for teacher to do so. The following references list is just also some resources that can be extended by teachers to develop their competencies in those aspects.
Good luck