Worked-Out Examples to Improve Student Understanding of Area and Perimeter

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Posters in Mathematics Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Worked out examples have been shown to improve student understanding in Algebra (Sweller & Cooper, 1985). For this study a group of 6th grade students from a Midwest school were divided into two groups. One group was provided worked out examples in their student workbook unit on area and perimeter while the other used the standard book. The students took an identical pre and post test on this topic and the answers were analyzed. Using regression analysis the data was analyzed based on the test scores. The results of the study show that worked out examples predict students post conceptual understanding, but had no effect on terminology or procedural knowledge. Individual differences in spatial knowledge impacted students’ benefit from examples.

Authors

• Wendy Bradley, Temple University

• Julie L. Booth, Temple University