Modeling a Relationship Between Students' Graph Selection and Reasoning

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eleven
  In Roundtable Session: Student Cognition and Reasoning in Mathematics (Table 12)

Abstract

We use a mixed methods approach to explore a relationship between students’ graph selection and graph reasoning, via a fully online assessment. Given video animations of six dynamic situations, students were to select a graphic representation and explain their graph choice. Our sample included 673 undergraduate students enrolled in college algebra, across four institutions. We qualitatively coded students’ written responses, then quantitized those qualitative codes to examine connections between the latent variables of students’ graph selection and graph reasoning. Using structural equation modeling, we found 40% of students’ graph selection to be explained by their graph reasoning (standardized regression weight is 0.64, p < 0.001). We conclude with implications for research and practice.

Authors

• Courtney Donovan, University of Colorado - Denver
  Presenting Author

• Heather Lynn Johnson, University of Colorado - Denver
  Presenting Author

• Livvia Bechtold, University of Colorado - Denver
  Presenting Author

• Kristin A Whitmore, University of Colorado - Denver
  Non-Presenting Author

• Robert Knurek
  Non-Presenting Author