| Discussion: | All Topics |
| Topic: | Is "variable" confusing to students? |
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| Subject: | RE: Is 'variable' confusing to students? |
| Author: | ihor |
| Date: | May 9 2009 |
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> Hi Susan,
You bring up a very important point: our algebraic
> notation is very elegant and flexible, allowing us to use it in a
> wide variety of contexts. The accompanying risk is that we may gloss
> over subtle differences in a way that leaves students confused.
> On this subject I highly recommend a chapter in NCTM's Research
> Companion to Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. The
> chapter, by Daniel Chazan and Michal Yerushalmy, is entitled "On the
> Cognitive Complexity of School Algebra: Research on Algebra Learning
> and Directions of Curricular Change."
Interesting. I didn't have access to Dan's chapter but I did I find a reference
to it in this good article about this issue "What Do Students Struggle with When
First Introduced to Algebra Symbols? " at:
http://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Research_News_and_Advocacy/Research/Clips_and_Briefs/research%20brief%2008%20-%20%20initial%20symbols.pdf
-Ihor
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