ERIC Number: EJ1240055
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Feb
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1571-0068
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Available Date: N/A
Investigating Students' Attention to Covariation Features of their Constructed Graphs in a Figural Pattern Generalisation Context
International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, v18 n2 p315-336 Feb 2020
An important goal in school algebra is to help students notice the covariational nature of functional relationships, how the values of variables change in relation to each other. This study explored 102 Year 7 (12 to 13-year-old) students' covariational reasoning with their constructed graphs for figural growing patterns they had generalised. A sequence of figural pattern generalisation tasks was incorporated in their school's linear equations topic, before formal introduction to linear graphs. The aim was to see if or how the students described covariation features of their graph and connected them to their generalisation. Evidence was found for a noticeable increase in both the students' use of symbolic algebra for their pattern generalisation and knowledge of Cartesian plane graphing conventions, but not for increasing covariational reasoning with their graphs or connections to their generalisation. Possible implications and further research directions on graphing in a pattern generalisation context are discussed.
Descriptors: Graphs, Secondary School Students, Generalization, Mathematical Concepts, Algebra, Equations (Mathematics), Mathematics Instruction, Abstract Reasoning, Teaching Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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