MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS AS PREDICTORS OF NAVIGATIONAL TASK PERFORMANCE AMONG MARITIME STUDENTS
Lilia B. Bayos
Ph.D Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University
Zamboanga City, Philippines
Abstract. This study investigated if maritime students' performance on navigational tasks is strongly predicted by their ability to solve mathematical problems. Anchored on Schoenfeld's Mathematical Problem-Solving Theory, the study investigated four dimensions of mathematical problem-solving skills: problem comprehension, analytical reasoning, computational accuracy, and application of mathematical concepts. Purposive sampling was used to choose 150 marine students for a quantitative descriptive study design. A validated questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.91, suggesting high reliability, was used to gather the data. The degree of mathematical problem-solving abilities was assessed using descriptive statistics, such as weighted mean and standard deviation, and their predictive impact on navigational task performance was investigated using multiple regression analysis. The application of mathematical concepts had the highest mean score, and the results showed that marine students had an overall average level of mathematical problem-solving abilities (M = 3.44, SD = 0.70). Mathematical problem-solving abilities strongly predicted navigational task performance, accounting for 64.6% of the variation (R² =.646, p <.001), according to regression analysis. While computational accuracy did not significantly predict navigational ability, analytical reasoning was the strongest predictor among the predictor variables, followed by difficulty with comprehension and application of mathematical concepts. The results emphasize how important higher-order mathematical reasoning is to the development of maritime navigation skills. The study comes to the conclusion that using contextualized instruction, simulation-based learning, and real-world navigational activities to strengthen analytical reasoning, conceptual application, and problem comprehension can greatly improve students' navigational performance and better prepare them for the cognitive demands of professional maritime practice. These findings provide valuable implications for curriculum enhancement and competency-based maritime education.
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Source: International Journal of Applied Mathematics
ISSN printed version: 1311-1728
ISSN on-line version: 1314-8060
Year: 2025
Volume: 38
Issue: 2
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