ERIC Number: EJ1148557
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1940-4158
EISSN: N/A
Detecting Strengths and Weaknesses in Learning Mathematics through a Model Classifying Mathematical Skills
Karagiannakis, Giannis N.; Baccaglini-Frank, Anna E.; Roussos, Petros
Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, v21 n2 p115-141 2016
Through a review of the literature on mathematical learning disabilities (MLD) and low achievement in mathematics (LA) we have proposed a model classifying mathematical skills involved in learning mathematics into four domains (Core number, Memory, Reasoning, and Visual-spatial). In this paper we present a new experimental computer-based battery of mathematical tasks designed to elicit abilities from each domain, that was administered to a sample of 165 typical population 5th and 6th grade students (MLD = 9 and LA = 17). Explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted on the data obtained, together with K-means cluster analysis. Results indicated strong evidence for supporting the solidity of the model, and clustered the population into six distinguishable performance groups with the MLD and LA students distributed within five of the clusters. These findings support the hypothesis that difficulties in learning mathematics can have multiple origins and provide a means for sketching students' mathematical learning profiles.
Descriptors: Mathematics Skills, Mathematical Aptitude, Skill Analysis, Learning Disabilities, Cluster Grouping, Mathematics Activities, Mathematics Tests, Grade 5, Grade 6, Factor Analysis, Models, Educational Diagnosis, Correlation, Evidence, Performance Based Assessment, Mathematics Achievement, Nonverbal Ability, Number Concepts, Memory, Thinking Skills, Literature Reviews, Foreign Countries, Intelligence Tests, Statistical Analysis, Goodness of Fit
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools; Elementary Education; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Greece (Athens)
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Raven Progressive Matrices
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A