Developing an understanding of algebraic symbols

TL;DRAbstract

The major objective of this research project was to investigate the difficulties that beginning algebra students experience in developing an understanding of the meaning and use of algebraic symbols. Learning problems identified by relevant research projects during the previous two decades provided a starting point, and items used in these projects for written tests or interviews were valuable in the formation of a new test instrument. By incorporating aspects investigated by several other researchers, a broad-based approach was employed to extend their work of applying psychological understandings of cognition to the learning processes involved in early algebra. Investigations examined interrelationships between measures previously studied in separate projects. Data were collected for analysis from a sample of 208 Year 7 secondary school students as they began their study of algebra in the form of generalized arithmetic. Methods of data collection were repeated written tests, intervie

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