ERIC Number: EJ1211619
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Apr
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1863-9690
EISSN: N/A
Developing Students' Ability to Solve Word Problems through Learning Trajectory-Based and Variation Task-Informed Instruction
Huang, Rongjin; Zhang, Qinqiong; Chang, Yu-ping; Kimmins, Dovie
ZDM: The International Journal on Mathematics Education, v51 n1 p169-181 Apr 2019
Solving word problems is challenging in elementary schools, both for the teacher in teaching students to solve word problems and for the student in learning to solve them. This paper examines how the ideas of learning trajectory and variation pedagogy could be integrated as an instructional principle for teaching this content in the context of solving additive comparison problems. Based on research literature, a learning trajectory for solving additive comparison problems was identified. Informed by variation pedagogy and using a lesson study approach, a research team explored how to teach solving comparison word problems based on this learning trajectory. Data included lesson plans, videotaped research lessons, students' pre- and post-tests, and students' interviews. A fine-grained analysis of the data demonstrated that the lessons unfolded through exploration of a series of deliberate tasks along the learning trajectory, focusing on the structure of comparison problems and targeted at objects of learning. Purposefully constructed patterns of variation and invariance provided students with necessary conditions to discern and experience the objects of learning. Students were actively engaged in making sense of comparison problems and articulating their thinking using multiple representations. While the post-test and interview data show students' understanding of key aspects of solving additive comparison problems to be at various levels, students' gains in overall performance from pre- to post-test were statistically significant. Implications for teaching comparison word problems are discussed.
Descriptors: Problem Solving, Word Problems (Mathematics), Elementary School Teachers, Elementary Schools, Elementary School Students, Elementary School Mathematics, Addition, Comparative Analysis, Pretests Posttests, Academic Ability
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A