ERIC Number: EJ880350
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-6065
EISSN: N/A
A Comparative Analysis of the Addition and Subtraction of Fractions in Textbooks from Three Countries
Charalambous, Charalambos Y.; Delaney, Sean; Hsu, Hui-Yu; Mesa, Vilma
Mathematical Thinking and Learning: An International Journal, v12 n2 p117-151 2010
In this paper, we report on a comparison of the treatment of addition and subtraction of fractions in primary mathematics textbooks used in Cyprus, Ireland, and Taiwan. To this end, we use a framework specifically developed to investigate the learning opportunities afforded by the textbooks, particularly with respect to the "presentation" of the content and the textbook "expectations" as manifested in the associated tasks. We found several similarities and differences among the textbooks regarding the topics included and their sequencing, the constructs of fractions, the worked examples, the cognitive demands of the tasks, and the types of responses required of students. The findings emphasized the need to examine textbooks in order to understand differences in instruction and achievement across countries. Indeed, we postulate that within a given country there may exist a recognizable "textbook signature." We also draw on the results and the challenges inherent in our analysis to provide suggestions and directions for future textbook analysis studies. (Contains 3 tables, 6 figures, and 12 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Textbooks, Foreign Countries, Comparative Analysis, Subtraction, Arithmetic, Comparative Education, Textbook Research, Textbook Evaluation, Elementary School Mathematics, Educational Practices, Teaching Methods, Content Analysis, Evaluation Criteria, Textbook Standards
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Cyprus; Ireland; Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A