Developing a relational meaning of the equal sign: effects of using a balance analogy in a game-based virtual environment

Bajwa, Neet Priya

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90773 Copy

Description

Title

Developing a relational meaning of the equal sign: effects of using a balance analogy in a game-based virtual environment

Author(s)

Bajwa, Neet Priya

Issue Date

2016-04-21

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Perry, Michelle

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Lubienski, Sarah

Committee Member(s)

• Lindgren, Robb
• Hoffman, Daniel

Department of Study

Curriculum and Instruction

Discipline

Curriculum and Instruction

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Equal sign
• Equivalence
• Virtual Balance Scale
• Relational meaning
• Elementary mathematics

Abstract

Understanding the equal sign relationally is important for success in arithmetic and algebra. Yet, many elementary school children continue to perceive it operationally, as a symbol that indicates computation. Mathematics educators have long suggested the use of the balance scale as an appropriate context for developing the relational meaning of the equal sign. However, studies that directly evaluate the pedagogical effectiveness of the balance scale remain limited. This experimental study, with 148 second- and third-grade students, examined the effects of using a virtual balance scale in promoting a relational meaning of the equal sign. Findings indicate that although the virtual manipulative may be helpful in supporting a relational meaning of the equal sign, there are other features associated with the manipulative that have advantages over the use of the dynamic virtual balance scale in promoting students’ learning of mathematical equivalence. Results suggest that seemingly intuitive manipulatives that are perceptually rich may not promote optimal learning.

Graduation Semester

2016-05

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90773

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 Neet Priya Bajwa

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