WWC review of this study

Developing Procedural Flexibility: Are Novices Prepared to Learn from Comparing Procedures?

Rittle-Johnson, Bethany; Star, Jon R.; Durkin, Kelley (2012). British Journal of Educational Psychology, v82 n3 p436-455. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ975135

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    124
     Students
    , grade
    8

Reviewed: June 2019

At least one finding shows promising evidence of effectiveness
At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Conceptual knowledge outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Conceptual knowledge subtest of study generated test

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Day

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
124 students

26.79

29.10

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

Conceptual knowledge subtest of study generated test

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Month

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
118 students

25.18

28.81

No

--
Procedural flexibility outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

flexible use of procedures

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Day

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
124 students

27.17

15.00

Yes

 
 
17
 

flexibility knowledge

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Day

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
124 students

50.87

42.63

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

flexible use of procedures

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Month

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
118 students

23.51

9.79

Yes

--

flexibility knowledge

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Month

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
118 students

47.42

40.00

No

--
Procedural knowledge outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Procedural knowledge subtest of study generated test

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Day

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
124 students

38.09

34.20

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

Procedural knowledge subtest of study generated test

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

1 Month

Full sample: Immediate Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure ;
118 students

35.59

31.07

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Setting

The study took place in two public middle schools in the United States.

Intervention Group

Students worked with partners to study pairs of solved problems that used the same linear equation but provided different solution methods. Problems were presented side by side. The intervention took place in 2 classroom periods of 80–90 minutes over 2 days.

Comparison Group

Students worked with partners to study examples, but the examples were presented illustrating one solution method at a time. The examples were linear equations with one unknown.

Reviewed: June 2017

No statistically significant positive
findings
Meets WWC standards with reservations
Procedural flexibility outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

flexibility knowledge

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

2 Days

Full sample: Delayed Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
115 students

41.09

42.63

No

--

flexible use of procedures

Teaching Strategies for Improving Algebra Knowledge in Middle and High School Students vs. Business as usual

2 Days

Full sample: Delayed Comparison of Procedures vs. Delayed Exposure;
115 students

9.91

15.00

No

--


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Study sample characteristics were not reported.

Setting

2 public middle schools in the United States

Intervention Group

Students worked with partners to study pairs of solved problems presented side by side. On day 1, the examples in a pair used the same solution method to solve a different linear equation. On day 2, the examples in a pair solved the same equation using different solution methods. The intervention took place in 2 classroom periods of 80–90 minutes over 2 days.

Comparison Group

Students worked with partners to study solved problems, but the examples were presented illustrating one solution method at a time. The examples were linear equations with one unknown.

Reviewed: April 2015

Meets WWC standards without reservations


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Female: 50%
    Male: 50%
  • Race
    Asian
    2%
    Black
    14%
    White
    77%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    7%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    93%
 

Your export should download shortly as a zip archive.

This download will include data files for study and findings review data and a data dictionary.

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