Strategic Flexibility of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers in Problem Solving: A Literature Review

Abstract

A mathematical problem-solving strategy involves understanding and analyzing information, then translating it into mathematical form to find solutions. Strategic flexibility is the ability to use various strategies and being able to change and adapt strategies according to the situation at hand. This study presents a literature review on the strategies employed and strategic flexibility pre-service mathematics teachers in problem-solving. The research uses the Systematic Literature Review method, which consists of three stages, namely planning, conducting, and reporting. The articles were searched in the Publish or Perish database. The literature review reveals that pre-service mathematics teachers use three main types of strategies for solving mathematical problems: cognitive strategies, process-oriented strategies, and solution-focused strategies. The strategies used in solving problems can be algebraic strategies and non-algebraic strategies. Meanwhile, strategic flexibility consists of three criteria: strategy adaptation, intra-task strategic flexibility, and inter-task strategic flexibility. The strategic flexibility of pre-service teachers needs to be improved, pre-service teachers must have knowledge of strategy and have good flexibility in learning