A Is for "Apple": Mnemonic Symbols Hinder the Interpretation of Algebraic Expressions

Autor/inn/en	McNeil, Nicole M.; Weinberg, Aaron; Hattikudur, Shanta; Stephens, Ana C.; Asquith, Pamela; Knuth, Eric J.; Alibali, Martha W.
Titel	A Is for "Apple": Mnemonic Symbols Hinder the Interpretation of Algebraic Expressions
Quelle	In: Journal of Educational Psychology, 102 (2010) 3, S.625-634 (10 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-0663
DOI	10.1037/a0019105
Schlagwörter	Middle School Students; Textbooks; Mnemonics; Algebra; Mathematics Instruction; Mathematics Education; Cognitive Development; Symbols (Mathematics); Mathematical Formulas; Problem Solving; Word Problems (Mathematics); Equations (Mathematics); Coding; United States + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Textbook; Text book; Schulbuch; Lehrbuch; Mnemotechnik; Mathematics lessons; Mathematikunterricht; Mathematische Bildung; Kognitive Entwicklung; Mathematische Formel; Problemlösen; Textaufgabe; Equations; Mathematics; Gleichungslehre; Codierung; Programmierung; USA
Abstract	This study examined how literal symbols affect students' understanding of algebraic expressions. Middle school students (N = 322) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions in which they were asked to interpret an expression (e.g., 4c + 3b) in a story problem. Each literal symbol represented the price of an item. In the c-and-b condition, the symbols used were the 1st letters of the items (e.g., price of a cake in dollars = c; price of a brownie in dollars = b). In the other 2 conditions, c and b were replaced with nonmnemonic English letters (x and y) or Greek letters ([phi] and [psi]). Incorrect interpretations of the expression were most common among students in the c-and-b condition. Moreover, students in this condition were more likely than students in the other conditions to misinterpret the symbols as labels for objects (e.g., c stands for "cake"). An analysis of participating students' textbooks revealed that mnemonic symbols were used correctly and were not uncommon. Results suggest that the use of mnemonic symbols may hinder students' interpretation of algebraic expressions. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10