ERIC Number: EJ911608
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1696-2095
EISSN: N/A
An Experimental Study on Preventing First Graders from Finger Counting in Basic Calculations
Albayrak, Mustafa
Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, v8 n3 p1131-1150 2010
Introduction: When counting is taught to students at primary stage of schooling, they are generally allowed to use their fingers as a counting tool. Therefore, some students continue using their fingers to count, while others stop this habit later. The students who have the habit of using their fingers to count have difficulty when their fingers are not enough for mathematical calculations. The purpose of this experimental study was to prevent students from finger counting and enable students who already have a habit of finger counting to quit this habit. Method: Since the interest and the intent of the researcher was to compare the differences between students' pre and post test scores from the control and experimental groups receiving different instructional process, this study is static-group pretest-posttest design. In each group there were 33 students who were mostly seven years old first graders. The experimental group received the remedial procedures while the control group was receiving traditional counting instruction for two whole semesters in an academic year. Results: The study revealed that the students in the experimental group were more successful without using their fingers in basic calculations due to the remedial program implemented in this group. Discussion and Conclusion: It is believed that better results in terms of improving students' counting skills can be achieved if the content of the remedial program is expanded and appropriate environment for the application of the program is provided. (Contains 1 table and 5 figures.)
Descriptors: Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Remedial Programs, Grade 1, Instructional Effectiveness, Mathematics Instruction, Elementary School Mathematics, Elementary School Students, Computation, Comparative Analysis, Pretests Posttests, Manipulative Materials, Foreign Countries
University of Almeria, Education & Psychology I+D+i. Faculty of Psychology Department of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 LaCanada de San Urbano, Almeria, Spain. Tel: +34-950-015354; Fax: +34-950-015083; Web site: http://www.investigacion-psicopedagogica.org/revista/new/english/index.php
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 1
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Turkey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A