Pedagogical and Mathematical Analyses of Teaching Equation-Solving in Standards-Based and Traditional Curricula

• In Event: Poster Session 18
  In Poster Session: What Do We Know About Mathematics Curriculum? Comparative Studies

Abstract

Analyzing important features of different curricula is critical to understanding their effects on students’ learning. Given that learning to solve equations is still an essential element in the study of algebra, this article is to compare the approaches to equation solving that are embedded in two types of middle school curricula: “Standards-based” and “traditional”. The Standards-based curriculum is the Connected Mathematics Program (CMP). Overall, the CMP curriculum takes a functional approach to teach equation solving, while non-CMP curricula take a structural approach to teach equation solving. We will present the findings from pedagogical and mathematical analyses of the two curricula.

Authors

• Bikai Nie, University of Delaware

• Jinfa Cai, University of Delaware

• John Moyer, Marquette University