Knox, Lori
(2017)
Improving Students' Proportional Reasoning Ability in the Context of Algebra I.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Students enter Algebra 1 with varied proportional reasoning ability and understanding. The ability to reason proportionally can impact understanding in Algebra and beyond. Despite its characterization as “the capstone of elementary school arithmetic” and “the cornerstone of all
that is to follow” (Lesh, Post, & Behr, 1998, p. 97), research has shown that even the most basic
understanding of proportionality continues to significantly challenge students.
To determine the extent of proportional reasoning ability upon entry into Algebra 1 and whether proportional reasoning ability can be improved in the context of Algebra, students in five sections of honors and academic Algebra 1 classes were evaluated using pre-assessments, followed by engagement in algebraic tasks rooted in proportional reasoning, and then evaluated using post-assessments. The results of this study indicate that students varied ability to reason proportionally correlates with their placement in honors or academic algebra, and that proportional reasoning ability for all students can be improved in the context of Algebra.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
| Title | Member | Email Address | Pitt Username | ORCID |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Smith, Margaret | pegs@pitt.edut | pegs | |
|
| Date: |
25 September 2017 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
10 June 2017 |
| Approval Date: |
25 September 2017 |
| Submission Date: |
24 July 2017 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
84 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Education > Instruction and Learning |
| Degree: |
EdD - Doctor of Education |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
proportional, algebra, tasks |
| Date Deposited: |
25 Sep 2017 17:58 |
| Last Modified: |
25 Sep 2017 17:58 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/32847 |
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