Winning edge in Mathematics competition: Contestants' learning styles, habits of the mind and trainers' coaching styles

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the winning edge in the Mathematics Competition of the five contestants and three coaches of the top performing schools in the Metrobank MTAP DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) in the division of Iloilo City using the criteria set for the study. In particular, the study determined the contestants' learning styles, the contestant's habits of mind and the way their trainers/mentors train them. The methodology that is best able to provide a practical understanding of the winning edge in Mathematics Competition is Narrative research. This qualitative research used collective qualitative data to seek answers to stated questions. The primary data sources include transcript of individual interviews, virtual focus group discussion (FGD) and records of conversations via messenger due to the restrictions and risks brought about by the Covid - 19 Pandemic. Data were collected and compared to identify themes from the 8 purposely chosen participants. The theme synthesized from the research results helped to answer the research questions using Creswell (2009,p. 185) of the general procedure of data analysis and interpretation used in qualitative research. The findings of this study showed the best practices of the top performing schools (winners) in contest preparation. These top performing schools revealed three major themes and these are Initial steps to the journey of winning, the road to winning: champions in the making and stories of connecting, managing and strategizing that plays a vital role in winning. The findings of the study also showed the following learning styles of the contestants of these top performing schools in the division of Iloilo City when it comes to the Metrobank MTAP DepEd Math Challenge (MMC). The following are the contestants' learning styles, learning through deriving, learning through visualizing, drawing and illustrating, learning through solving Math problems repeatedly and by experience, and learning through reading, and listening, and learning through teaching. The findings of the study also revealed the following habits of mind of the contestants and these are habits of understanding the process, habits of solving systematically, habits of being familiar of the concepts, habits of making use of short cuts, habits of using guess, check and revise, habits of writing down notes, and habits of solving it mentally. And finally, the study also revealed the coaching style of the mentors and coaches who trained their contestants in the Metrobank MTAP DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) which are holistic coaching and timed coaching styles. It showed that their coaches trained them not only with the concepts and math skills, but these coaches helped and trained them in all aspects, may it be in Math or life lessons.