ERIC Number: EJ1133318
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Mar
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1863-9690
EISSN: N/A
Algebraic Procedures and Creative Thinking
Tabach, Michal; Friedlander, Alex
ZDM: The International Journal on Mathematics Education, v49 n1 p53-63 Mar 2017
Simplifying symbolic expressions is usually perceived in middle school algebra as an algorithmic activity, achieved by performing sequences of short drill-and-practice tasks, which have little to do with conceptual learning or with creative mathematical thinking. The aim of this study is to explore possible ways by which ninth-grade students can be encouraged to apply flexible and creative thinking in the context of a task that requires students to design a multiple-choice questionnaire on equivalent algebraic expressions. Fifty-six ninth-grade students answered Take-a-Quiz and Make-a-Quiz questionnaires. The findings indicate that students can be engaged in a satisfactory way in these kinds of non-routine tasks. Also, about two-thirds of the participating students were able to display a medium or high level of originality in their construction of equivalent expressions. In addition, an analysis of the non-equivalent expressions suggested by the participating students as distractors indicated a relatively high level of awareness to the most common errors that might occur in this type of activity.
Descriptors: Algebra, Creative Thinking, Middle School Students, Grade 9, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical Formulas, Multiple Choice Tests, Questionnaires, Student Developed Materials
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; Grade 9; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A