Teaching the Purpose and Meaning of Algebraic Variables Through Systems-of-Equations Story Problems: Multimedia Approaches

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Learning Sciences Posters

Abstract

Traditional approaches to teaching algebraic variables are often formal, implementing one-step problems (i.e., missing operands) that students can already solve arithmetically, leaving some students puzzled about the purpose of algebraic notation and procedures. We developed three versions of a multimedia learning sequence of relatable story videos and questions designed to foster students’ understanding of the purpose and meaning of variables. Each condition varied aspects of the instructional method and student activities. Sixth-graders from two schools completed two one-hour learning sessions, followed by a delayed post-test weeks later on systems-of-equations word problems. Performance of 131 sixth-graders on the post-test was comparable to that of a similar sample of 12 eight-graders post-learning and 20 ninth-graders pre-review. This effect held for all conditions.

Authors

• Jeffrey K. Bye, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

• Pei-Jung Chuang, University of California - Los Angeles

• Lauren E. Anthony, University of California - Los Angeles

• Patricia W. Cheng, University of California - Los Angeles