An investigation of learners' symbol sense and interpretation of letters in early algebraic learning

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dc.contributor.authorNaidoo, Kona Sagaren Kanakasaby
dc.date.accessioned2009-07-06T12:25:20Z
dc.date.available2009-07-06T12:25:20Z
dc.date.issued2009-07-06T12:25:20Z
dc.description.abstractResearch in early algebra is critical because a smooth transition from arithmetic to algebra will influence future algebra learning that is central to school mathematics. This study investigated learners’ interpretation of letters in different levels of generalised arithmetic activities. Thirty grade nine learners from one inner city school participated in this study. All learners engaged with seventeen paper and pencil tasks encompassing six different interpretations of letters and six learners were then interviewed. Analysis of the data showed that the overall performance of learners was very poor and most learners have not been successful in making the transition from arithmetic to algebra. Learner responses suggested a strong arithmetical influence and a poor understanding of algebraic letter and basic manipulative skills. Throughout the data a number of misconceptions surfaced which suggested that most learners in this sample were lacking ‘symbol sense’.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10539/7073
dc.language.isoenen
dc.subjectAlgebraen
dc.subjectEarly algebraen
dc.subjectGeneralised arithmeticen
dc.subjectTransition from arithmetic to algebraen
dc.subject'Symbol sense'en
dc.subjectConstructivismen
dc.subjectMisconceptionsen
dc.subjectInterpretation of lettersen
dc.subjectLevels of understandingen
dc.subjectChildren's errors and strategiesen
dc.titleAn investigation of learners' symbol sense and interpretation of letters in early algebraic learningen
dc.typeThesisen
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