STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO MAKE SENSE OF ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSIONS AND THEIR VERBAL EQUIVALENTS

Emrullah Erdem, Şeyda Zengin, Hayrullah Erdem

Abstract


This study aims to reveal the 6th-grade students’ ability to write and understand the verbal expressions (VE) of algebraic expressions (AE) and AE of VE. 238 sixth graders studying in five middle schools in two provinces of Turkey participated in the study. Algebraic Expressions Test (AET), consisting of 24 items, was developed and used as a data collection tool. In the research, quantitative data were analyzed with a t-test and qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis technique. Evidence was found that the performance of the participants was above the average (x ̅=2,05). There was no significant difference between the achievements of male students and female students. On the other hand, it was determined that the students ignored the parenthesis, did not pay attention to the priority of operation and the priority of the fraction line, couldn’t comprehend equality, generally wrote the same type of VE, and could not interpret AE.

 

Article visualizations:

Hit counter


Keywords


Algebra, algebraic expressions, verbal expressions, 6th-grade students

Full Text:

PDF

References


Aiken, L. R. (1971). Verbal factors and mathematics learning: A review of research. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 2(4), 304-313.

Akkan, Y., Baki, A., & Çakıroğlu, Ü. (2012). Examination of the 5th-8th grade students’ transition process from arithmetic to algebra with regard problem solving. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 43, 1-13.

Bağdat, O. & Anapa-Saban, P. (2014). Investigation of the 8th grade students’ algebraic thinking skills with solo taxonomy. The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies, 26, 473-496.

Birgin, O. & Demirören, K. (2020). Investigation of 7th and 8th grade students’ performance about algebraic expressions. Pamukkale University Journal of Education, 50, 99-117.

Birgisdottir, F., Gestsdottir, S., & Geldhof, G. J. (2020). Early predictors of first and fourth grade reading and math: The role of self-regulation and early literacy skills. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 53, 507-519.

Booth, L. R. (1988). Children's difficulties in beginning algebra. In A. F. Coxford & A. P. Shulte (Eds.), The ideas of algebra, K-12 (1988 yearbook) (pp. 20-32). Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Bozkurt, A. (2018). An evaluation of the 6th grade mathematics textbook in terms of aim, student work format and applicability. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 17(66), 535-548.

Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2011). Data analysis handbook for social sciences, statistics- Research design-SPSS applications and interpretation (14th Edition). Ankara: Pegem Academy

Cobb, P., Yackel, E., & Wood, T. (1992). Interaction and learning in mathematics classroom situations. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 23, 99-122.

Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Danaei, D., Jamali, H. R., Mansourian, Y., & Rastegarpour, H. (2020). Comparing reading comprehension between children reading augmented reality and print storybooks. Computers & Education, 153, 103900.

Dikkartın-Övez, F. T. & Çınar, B. A. (2018). Assessment of secondary school 8th grade students’ algebra knowledge and algebraic thinking levels with regard to problem posing. Journal of Balıkesir University Institue of Science and Technology, 20(1), 483-502.

Erdem, E. (2016). Relationship between mathematical reasoning and reading comprehension: The case of the 8th grade. Necatibey Faculty of Education Electronic Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 10(1), 393-414.

Erdem, Ö., & Sarpkaya-Aktaş, G. (2018). Assessment of activity-based instruction in overcoming 7th grade middle school students’ misconceptions in algebra. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 9(2), 312-338.

Falkner, K. P., Levi, L., & Carpenter, T. P. (1999). Children's understanding of equality: A foundation for algebra. Teaching Children Mathematics, 6(4), 232-236.

Gökkurt, B., Şahin, Ö., Soylu, Y., & Soylu, C. (2013). Examining pre-service teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge on fractions in terms of students’ errors. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 5(3),719-735.

Han, Y., & Ginsburg, H. P. (2001). Chinese and English mathematics language: The relation between linguistic clarity and mathematics performance. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 3(2-3), 201-220.

Hemmi, K., Bråting, K. & Lepik, M. (2021) Curricular approaches to algebra in Estonia, Finland and Sweden – a comparative study. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 23(1), 49-71.

Kao, G. Y. M., Tsai, C. C., Liu, C. Y., & Yang, C. H. (2016). The effects of high/low interactive electronic storybooks on elementary school students’ reading motivation, story comprehension and chromatics concepts. Computers & Education, 100, 56-70.

Kieran, C. (1992). The learning and teaching of school algebra. In D.A. Grouws (Ed.), Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning (pp. 390-419). New York: Macmillan.

Kieran, C. (2004). Algebraic thinking in the early grades: what is it? The Mathematics Educator, 8(1), 139-151.

Kieran, C. & Yerushalmy, M. (2004). Research on the role of technological environments in algebra learning and teaching. In K. Stacey, H. Chick and M. Kendal (Eds), The Future of the Teaching and Learning of Algebra: The 12th ICMI Study (pp. 95–152). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Kluwer Academic.

Knopik, V. S., & DeFries, J. C. (1999). Etiology of covariation between reading and mathematics performance: A twin study. Twin Research, 2(3), 226-234.

Leitze, A. R., & Kitt, N. A. (2000). Using homemade algebra tiles to develop algebra and prealgebra concepts. Mathematics Teacher, 93(6), 462-466.

Ma, X. (1995). Gender differences in mathematics achievement between Canadian and Asian education systems. The Journal of Educational Research, 89(2), 118-127.

Ministry of National Education [MNE]. (2018). Middle school mathematics 5-8. Classes teaching program. Head Council of Education and Morality.

Miles, M. B. & Huberman, A. M. (1994). An expanded sourcebook: qualitative data analysis (2nd Editon). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Moss, J. & Case, R. (1999). Developing children’s understanding of the rational numbers: a new model and experimental curriculum. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 30(2), 122 – 147.

Nathan, M. J., & Koedinger, K. R. (2000). Teachers’ and researcher’s beliefs about the development of algebraic reasoning. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 31(2), 168-190.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM] (2000). Principles and standards for school mathematics. Reston, VA.

Özdemir-Baki, G. & Işık, A. (2018). Investigation of the noticing levels of teachers about students’ mathematical thinking: a lesson study model. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 9(1), 122-146.

Passolunghi, M. C., & Pazzaglia, F. (2005). A comparison of updating processes in children good or poor in arithmetic word problem-solving. Learning and Individual Differences, 15(4), 257–269.

Perso, T. (1992). Using diagnostic teaching to overcome misconceptions in algebra. The Mathematical Association of Western Australia.

Rose, D. S., Parks, M., Androes, K., & McMahon, S. D. (2000). Imagery-based learning: Improving elementary students’ reading comprehension with drama techniques. The Journal of Educational Research, 94(1), 55-63.

Sharp, J. M. (1995). Results of using algebra tiles as meaningful representations of algebra concepts. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Mid-Western Education Research Association, Chicago, IL.

Stacey, K. & MacGregor, M. (2000). Learning the algebraic method of solving problems. Journal of Mathematical Behaviour, 18(2), 149-167.

Stephens, A. C., Knuth, E. J., Blanton, M. L., Isler, I., Gardiner, A. M., & Marum, T. (2013). Equation structure and the meaning of the equal sign: The impact of task selection in eliciting elementary students’ understandings. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 32(2), 173–182.

Susac, A., Bubic, A., Vrbanc, A., & Planinic, M. (2014). Development of abstract mathematical reasoning: The case of algebra. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 679.

Şimşek, B., & Soylu, Y. (2018). Examination of the reasons for these mistakes made by elementary school 7th grade students in relation to algebraic expressions. The Journal of International Social Research, 11(59), 830-848

Taylor-Cox, J. (2003). Algebra in the early years? Young Children, 58(1), 14-21.

Tirosh, D. (2000). Enhancing prospective teachers’ knowledge of children’s conceptions: the case of division of fractions. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 31(1), 5-25.

Ural, A., & Ülper, H. (2013). The evaluation of the relationship between preservice elementary mathematics teachers’ mathematical modeling and reading comprehension skills. Journal of Theoretical Educational Science, 6(2), 214-241.

Vilenius-Tuohimaa, P. M., Aunola, K., & Nurmi, J. (2008). The association between mathematical word problems and reading comprehension. Educational Psychology, 28(4), 409–426.

Voutsina, C. (2019). Context variation and syntax nuances of the equal sign in elementary school mathematics. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 19(4), 415-429.

Yackel, E., (1997). A foundation for algebraic reasoning in the early grades. Teaching Children Mathematics, 3(6), 276-280.

Yin, R. K. (2011). Qualitative research from start to finish. New York: The Guilford Press.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v9i1.4124

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2022 Emrullah Erdem, Şeyda Zengin, Hayrullah Erdem

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2015-2023. European Journal of Education Studies (ISSN 2501 - 1111) is a registered trademark of Open Access Publishing Group. All rights reserved.


This journal is a serial publication uniquely identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) serial number certificate issued by Romanian National Library (Biblioteca Nationala a Romaniei). All the research works are uniquely identified by a CrossRef DOI digital object identifier supplied by indexing and repository platforms. All authors who send their manuscripts to this journal and whose articles are published on this journal retain full copyright of their articles. All the research works published on this journal are meeting the Open Access Publishing requirements and can be freely accessed, shared, modified, distributed and used in educational, commercial and non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).