STUDENTS’ SOME MISCONCEPTIONS AND ERRORS IN THE FIELD OF ALGEBRA

Yasar Akkan
Unal Cakiroglu
Dr. Bulent Guven
Karadeniz Technical University

Abstract

Algebra plays an important role in both mathematics and the other sciences. Studies have shown that students’ misconceptions about some subjects lead them to have difficulties in learning algebra. These studies reported that students had difficulties about the meanings of letters in algebra, using of notations, applying the rules of operation, and generalization. The aim of this study was to define the sources/reasons of 7th and 8th grades students’ misconceptions and errors. Case study research methodology was used in the study. The sample of the study consisted of 162 students from three different primary schools. A test comprises of 12 questions was designed considering both the objectives related to algebra in curriculum and the data collection tools in literature. It was revised by two mathematics teachers to warrant the reliability and the validity. After the implementation of the test, students’ responses were assessed at the point of three and one, and two points were examined in detail. The most common errors and their percentages were given. Moreover, the study reported both misconceptions about the meanings of letters in algebra, using of notations, applying the rules of operation, and generalization and their reasons. The results showed that students have poor understanding about the mentioned four areas of algebra. Students have not adequate abilities for solving the algebraic problems. Some suggestions were made for teachers about teaching algebra in their classes, as well as for curriculum developers about the updating of the subjects in algebra.

Keywords

Mathematics instruction, algebra, misconceptions.