Error patterns in Portuguese students’ addition and subtraction calculation tasks : implications for teaching
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Data
2018
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ISSN da revista
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Editora
Emerald
Resumo
Purpose
The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate why some elementary children have difficulties mastering addition and subtraction calculation tasks.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers have examined error types in addition and subtraction calculation made by 697 Portuguese students in elementary grades. Each student completed a written assessment of mathematical knowledge. A system code (e.g. FR = failure to regroup) has been used to grade the tests. A reliability check has been performed on 65 per cent randomly selected exams.
Findings
Data frequency analyses reveal that the most common type of error was miscalculation for both addition (n = 164; 38.6 per cent) and subtraction (n = 180; 21.7 per cent). The second most common error type was related to failure to regroup in addition (n = 74; 17.5 per cent) and subtraction (n = 139; 16.3 per cent). Frequency of error types by grade level has been provided. Findings from the hierarchical regression analyses indicate that students’ performance differences emerged as a function of error types which indicated students’ types of difficulties.
Research limitations/implications
There are several limitations of this study: the use of a convenient sample; all schools were located in the northern region of Portugal; the limited number of problems; and the time of the year of assessment.
Practical implications
Students’ errors suggested that their performance in calculation tasks is related to conceptual and procedural knowledge and skills. Error analysis allows teachers to better understand the individual performance of a diverse group and to tailor instruction to ensure that all students have an opportunity to succeed in mathematics.
Social implications
Error analysis helps teachers uncover individual students’ difficulties and deliver meaningful instruction to all students.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the international literature on error analysis and reinforces its value in diagnosing students’ type and severity of math difficulties.
Descrição
Journal for Multicultural Education
Palavras-chave
EDUCAÇÃO, AVALIAÇÃO DAS APRENDIZAGENS, APRENDIZAGEM, CÁLCULO, MATEMÁTICA, EDUCATION, STUDENT ASSESSMENT, LEARNING, CALCULUS, MATHEMATICS
Citação
Watson, S.M.R., Lopes, J., Oliveira, C. and Judge, S. (2018), "Error patterns in Portuguese students’ addition and subtraction calculation tasks: Implications for teaching", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 67-82. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-01-2017-0002