EARCOME4, 2007 LP022
Fig 8.2: Solution by input numbers Fig 8.3: Solution by input numbers Fig 8.4: Solution by input numbers
(4) Solution in symbolic representation
The students adapting symbolic representation can comply with substituting and estimating strategies to solve problem (See Figures 9.1, 9.2, 9.3). These students have already figured out the relationship among variables and can operate to control it. While it is different form the former presentations, they adapted symbolic method to induce and represent the relationship of variables. They demonstrated the change between two variables by putting the equation side by side. This method is not as complex like former representations. If you substitute the appropriate number to get the right answer, then you can solve the problem. From the student performance, we can realize the difference about their problem-solving strategies.
Fig 9.1: Solution by input numbers Fig 9.2: Solution by input numbers Fig 9.3: Solution by input numbers
The students in Figure 9.1 adapted a mono-answer proof model and complied with numbers to solve the problem. The students in Figure 9.2 also adapted mono-answer proof model, but they complied with the number line as listed to represent the relationship among variables. The students in Figure 9.3 adapted the systematic substituting formula to prove each problem and acquired the correct answer.
Conclusion and Comments
The findings presented provided evidence for students’ ability in their reasoning of algebraic problem, and could use some effective representations and complied with practical strategies to generalize and solve algebraic problem. Although there were only half of the anticipants who got the right answer and gave the correct explanation, it was also noted that too many students did not have a clear understanding of what the problem was asking. It can be concluded that there was no reasoning behind the processes in the majority of strategies coded. Thus, there is a need for teachers to teach their students how to write a good explanation addressing both the ‘how’ and ‘why’ aspects of their strategies. This explanation would validate the students’ thinking as they wrote up their reasons. In addition, teachers need to ask students to explain what and why they are doing during the problem solving process. Students also need to reflect on what they are doing.
Reasoning, conceptual understanding and explanations will not easily evolve in classrooms unless opportunities are provided for the students to engage in sense-making processes. This can be done by
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