Schoenfeld (1992) states that for the mathematical thinking to develop, the process should be evaluated well and the
practices are necessary. Mathematically-thinking student, in the process of problem solving, should complete the
process in the most proper way by using the problem solving steps.
Suzuki (1998) states that students generally tend to memorize the operations and the formulas while learning
mathematics. Yet, a student knowing the problem solving steps will understand the problem and start the solution
selecting the proper strategy. While using the mathematical knowledge, students will both start to think mathematically
and solve the problems by understanding them. At this level they will get rid of the tendency of memorizing.
When the results on mathematical thinking are considered, it has been concluded that the period for the lesson of
problem solving produced positive effects on the students’ skills of mathematical thinking. It can be said that the
applied process affected the mathematical thinking skill positively. This arrived result revealed that as the result of the
problems practised in the class of problem solving and the steps of problem solving, mathematical thinking can be
developed.
As a consequence, the class “Problem Solving in Mathematics” was revealed to have positive effects on students’
problem solving skills and mathematical thinking levels. Also, it was determined that after students had learnt problem
solving strategies, they realized that that they could use many strategies in problem solving. Therefore, it was concluded
that the class “Problem Solving in Mathematics” had the students gain problem solving strategies and increased the
students’ level of mathematical thinking.