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Masters Thesis

Differences in problem solving between Anglo and recent Mexican immigrant

The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences of Anglo students and recent Mexican immigrant students when they solved the checkerboard problem. Five pairs of Anglo students were video taped while determining the number of squares on a checkerboard which is eight by eight squares. Five pairs of recent Mexican immigrants were also videotaped. The research team determined that both target groups solved the problem primarily by counting. Anglos needed to work by themselves for a while and brought their thinking back to the team. The recent Mexican immigrants generally worked together continuously. Individuals also worked on the same problem. After they had worked on the problem for twenty minutes, the individuals answered a questionnaire about solving this problem. This questionnaire revealed Anglo students believed they had found a pattern more times than recent Mexican immigrant students. Anglos also reported that they solved the problem by making a model of the problem more often than recent Mexican immigrants reported this. Classroom significance is discussed.

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