KNOWS strategy in action: Solving word problems involving ratios

Abstract

This study concerns an intervention incorporating the KNOWS strategy (K—Know, N—Need to know, O—Organize, W—Work, and S—Solution), a mnemonic problem-solving tool to improve students’ performance in ratio word problems. Quantitative data through pre- and post-tests were collected from 42 Year 9 students in one of the secondary schools in Brunei Darussalam. Results from a paired-sampled t-test show that the students scored higher in the post-test compared to the pre-test, confirming the effectiveness of the KNOWS intervention in improving students’ performance in ratio word problems. Despite the improvement in students’ performance, this study highlights some misconceptions and common mistakes of students when solving ratio word problems before and after the KNOWS intervention. It also suggests alternative ways of using the KNOWS strategy as an instructional option to improve students’ performance in ratio word problems.