ERIC Number: EJ1157253
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-2194
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Available Date: N/A
The Concept of Magnitude and What It Tells Us about How Struggling Students Learn Fractions
Woodward, John
Journal of Learning Disabilities, v50 n6 p640-643 Nov-Dec 2017
This commentary summarizes emerging research into fractions instruction for students who are at risk for failure. Each of the three articles emphasizes a measure conception of fractions. Teaching fractions as measurement helps students learn the magnitude of rational numbers. However, measurement is only part of the way that students should conceptualize fractions. Instruction also needs to emphasize fractions as division. The article also draws attention to the teaching qualifications of those who typically instruct at-risk students in Tier 2 and 3 settings. More often than not, these individuals lack the pedagogical content knowledge needed to adapt instruction and address student misconceptions. This is a critical issue going forward as the field attempts to balance procedural understanding with key underlying fractional ideas such a measurement and division.
Descriptors: Learning Disabilities, Mathematical Concepts, Fractions, Mathematics Instruction, Measurement, At Risk Students, Knowledge Level, Teacher Competencies, Arithmetic, Elementary Secondary Education
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A