ERIC Number: ED623837
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
"It Has the Same Numbers, Just in a Different Order": Middle School Students Noticing Algebraic Structures within Equivalent Equations
Hunter, Jodie; Miller, Jodie; Bowmar, Alex; Jones, Ian
Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) (44th, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, Jul 3-7, 2022)
In this paper, we explore student solutions to a free response mathematical assessment task which had opportunities for students to notice structural properties in the context of number systems. In total, 308 students aged between 10 years to 13 years participated in the study. Their responses were analysed to determine whether they noticed algebraic structures in a task using equivalent equations. Findings indicate that students were able to recognise equation pairs that drew on both the associative and distributive properties. A limited number of students were able to notice the general structure and draw on number properties to support their claims, moving beyond using algorithmic thinking.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematics Skills, Thinking Skills, Number Systems, Task Analysis, Student Evaluation, Algebra, Foreign Countries, Mathematics Curriculum, Learning Processes
Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. GPO Box 2747, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia. Tel: +61-8-8363-0288; Fax: +61-8-8362-9288; e-mail: sales@merga.net.au; Web site: http://www.merga.net.au/
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA)
Identifiers - Location: New Zealand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A