Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

An Extensive Analysis of Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Knowledge of Fractions

An Extensive Analysis of Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Knowledge of Fractions The study of preservice elementary teachers’ knowledge of fractions is importantbecause fractions are notoriously difficult to learn and teach. Unfortunately,studies of preservice teachers’ fraction knowledge are limited and have focusedprimarily on division. The present study included all four operations to provide amore comprehensive understanding of this knowledge. Because knowledge is complex, itwas examined in five ways: computational skill, basic concepts, word problems,flexibility, and transfer. To further capture the complexity of knowledge, solutionmethods were examined for patterns that might reveal understandings andmisconceptions. Data were gathered before and after a course designed to deepenpreservice teachers’ knowledge. Quantitative and qualitative shifts occurred duringthe semester, but flexibility and transfer were low. Implications for teachereducation are discussed. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Educational Research Journal SAGE

An Extensive Analysis of Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Knowledge of Fractions

American Educational Research Journal , Volume 45 (4): 31 – Dec 1, 2008

Loading next page...
 
/lp/sage/an-extensive-analysis-of-preservice-elementary-teachers-knowledge-of-peYQIZji02

References (38)

Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © by SAGE Publications
ISSN
0002-8312
eISSN
1935-1011
DOI
10.3102/0002831208320851
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The study of preservice elementary teachers’ knowledge of fractions is importantbecause fractions are notoriously difficult to learn and teach. Unfortunately,studies of preservice teachers’ fraction knowledge are limited and have focusedprimarily on division. The present study included all four operations to provide amore comprehensive understanding of this knowledge. Because knowledge is complex, itwas examined in five ways: computational skill, basic concepts, word problems,flexibility, and transfer. To further capture the complexity of knowledge, solutionmethods were examined for patterns that might reveal understandings andmisconceptions. Data were gathered before and after a course designed to deepenpreservice teachers’ knowledge. Quantitative and qualitative shifts occurred duringthe semester, but flexibility and transfer were low. Implications for teachereducation are discussed.

Journal

American Educational Research JournalSAGE

Published: Dec 1, 2008

There are no references for this article.