Associations between confidence, persistence, and optimism : illuminating optimistic problem solving activity
conference contribution
posted on 2012-01-01, 00:00authored byGaynor Williams
As part of video-stimulated post-lesson student interview studies of problem solving activity, Williams (2005, 2011) found successful problem solvers were optimistic. This study interrogates data from three students from a broader study: the role of optimism in collaborative problem solving and how to build it. The research question that focuses this study is “What associations exist between confidence, persistence, and optimism?” The question is explored both theoretically and empirically for the purpose of increasing understanding of the nature of optimistic problem solving activity by linking it to more familiar constructs. Students were progressively selected to further the interrogatory process. It was found that confidence and persistence did not necessarily occur together, and when they did, activity associated with these two characteristics was not sufficient for optimistic problem solving activity to occur. Perseverance was also required.
History
Event
International Congress on Mathematics Education Conference (12th : 2012 : Seoul, Korea)
Publisher
ICME
Location
Seoul, Korea
Place of publication
Seoul, Korea
Start date
2012-07-08
End date
2012-07-15
Language
eng
Publication classification
E2 Full written paper - non-refereed / Abstract reviewed