Problem-based learning's impact on the understanding of place value

Abstract

The conceptual development of place value is often described as the most significant of all number concepts which, when understood, enables students to develop a comprehensive sense of number (Reys, Lindquist, Lambdin, & Smith, 2009). Disappointingly, the development of place value is seen as an elusive concept for pre-service teachers. This paper reports on a study to determine the effect of a problem-based learning (PBL) approach versus a traditional teacher-centred instructional approach in a university course on pre-service teacher’s content knowledge and conceptual understanding of place value.