Diverse Students' Perceptions of Math Word Problems: Exploring Linguistic and Semiotic Solution Entry Points

• In Event: 72.049 - Roundtable Session 34
  In Roundtable Session: 72.049-7 - Effective Strategy Use in Mathematics Education

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of how students view the challenges and affordances of math word problems in terms of common language, cultural, and domain-related factors. Our small qualitative study employed cognitive interviews with think aloud methods to examine how middle school students with varying domain and English proficiency levels solved four word problems manipulated for linguistic complexity. We present students’ perceptions of the linguistic manipulation, and how they used the problems’ technical vocabulary, context, and visual representations to help them read, understand, and solve them.

Authors

• Mary A. Avalos, University of Miami

• EDWING A. MEDINA, University of Miami

• Walter G. Secada, University of Miami