Designing the Teaching of Problem-Solving Tactics in School Mathematics

A project in this area will aim to improve our knowledge about effective teaching of problem solving in school mathematics. Research suggests that although expert problem solvers use a variety of domain-general problem-solving strategies (e.g. draw a diagram, simplify the problem), novice problem solvers do not benefit from being advised to do these things. Instead, I have proposed teaching more domain-specific problem-solving tactics, but what exactly these are and how they might be effectively taught remains unclear. This project would draw on insights from mathematics education and cognitive science to develop knowledge about how to improve the design of the teaching of problem solving in secondary school mathematics. Interested applicants may want to visit www.foster77.co.uk for details of research in this area. 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

Relevant experience in education

The standard University IELTS English language requirement is 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each individual element (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

International students: £23,100

UK students: £5,238

UK/Home: £5,238

International: £23,100

October 2026, February 2027, July 2027

30 April 2027

• Loughborough, United Kingdom