Students’ critical thinking skills in making mathematical problems

Abstract

Critical thinking is not only required in solving mathematical problems, but also in making problems. This qualitative descriptive study was aimed at tracing critical thinking skills of 25 students of elementary school teacher education program in the process of making mathematical problems. Students were given the task of making problems on the topic of the triangle. Furthermore, an interview was conducted to explore the process or reason for making the problems. The results of this study indicated that students had not been skilled at critical thinking in making problems. The activity of critical thinking in the process of making problems only included determining the focus of the problem and decision making. Nevertheless, the decision which was taken was not based on logical reasoning. The activity of examining the accuracy of supporting data and reflecting on problems had not been accomplished, so as to produce incorrect problems. Thus, critical thinking is of urgency to produce good and right problems. The findings of this study can be utilized to develop critical thinking skills in making problems and solving mathematical problems.