ERIC Number: EJ882138
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jan
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-739X
EISSN: N/A
Student Connections of Linear Algebra Concepts: An Analysis of Concept Maps
Lapp, Douglas A.; Nyman, Melvin A.; Berry, John S.
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, v41 n1 p1-18 Jan 2010
This article examines the connections of linear algebra concepts in a first course at the undergraduate level. The theoretical underpinnings of this study are grounded in the constructivist perspective (including social constructivism), Vernaud's theory of conceptual fields and Pirie and Kieren's model for the growth of mathematical understanding. In addition to the existing techniques for analysing concept maps, two new techniques are developed for analysing qualitative data based on student-constructed concept maps: (1) temporal clumping of concepts and (2) the use of adjacency matrices of an undirected graph representation of the concept map. Findings suggest that students may find it more difficult to make connections between concepts like eigenvalues and eigenvectors and concepts from other parts of the conceptual field such as basis and dimension. In fact, eigenvalues and eigenvectors seemed to be the most disconnected concepts within all of the students' concept maps. In addition, the relationships between link types and certain clumps are suggested as well as directions for future study and curriculum design. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Constructivism (Learning), Concept Mapping, Matrices, Mathematical Concepts, Mathematics Instruction, Algebra, Teaching Methods, College Mathematics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A