Does the developed use of the TASC

wheel improve the processing skills of children in problem solving activities?

Research carried out byEdward Baldwin

Research question

“If my Year 5/6 high ability maths class are taught a

series of thinking strategies, will it improve their ability to

tackle problem solving activities?”

Background

• Observed that some children had trouble accessing some problem solving questions despite having the necessary Maths Skills to calculate the answer

• Top ability stream of Year 5/6 children• Focussed on the work of 8 children• Ranging from Level 3a to high 5s• Would the TASC wheel help?

Introduction

• The TASC wheel : ThinkingActively in a SocialContext

• “Provides a practical framework for the teaching of thinking and problem-solving skills across the curriculum” Belle Wallace

• Also incorporates the ideas of Vygotsky

The TASC Wheel

• Work in small groups

• Different stages: Gather/ OrganiseIdentifyGenerateDecideImplementEvaluateCommunicateLearn from Experience

The TASC Wheel

Example 1:Designing a car

Example 2: Raised beds planning

• Children were asked to survey the school grounds and draw up a new map (measuring skills)

• Design a flower bed for an available space (drawing plans)

• Calculate the timber needed (area and perimeter)

• Calculate the approximate costs (Money and decimal multiplication)

Raisedbeds

planning

• This led to designing the beds, calculating the materials needed, and looking at costs

• A practical use for their Maths!

Example 3: Creating newspaper reports

Example 4: Regular Maths problems and investigations

Example 5: Develop a maths game

Findings

• TASC wheel encourages self-evaluation and asking for advice and suggestions

• Develops ideas further than individuals would do normally

• It would take some children time to fill in the TASC wheel, slowing the work process (teething problems with what to write?)

• Quality of work produced improved

What to do next…

• Dissemination of practice to other staff members, especially younger class groups

• Develop the skills of introducing the TASC wheel• Look for other cross-curricular opportunities to

use this method• Once experienced, children should move

towards not using the structure• Look into using Heuristics techniques alongside

the TASC wheel

ConclusionsPros… Very useful exercise Children’s expected work standard improved

while using TASC wheel Self-evaluation and checking improved Will continue using the method in a variety of

contexts

Cons… Not specifically a Maths task! Time taken to fill out the TASC wheel