WWC review of this study

Flexibility in Problem Solving: The Case of Equation Solving

Star, Jon R.; Rittle-Johnson, Bethany (2008). Learning and Instruction, v18 n6 p565-579. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ813917

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    63
     Students
    , grade
    6

Reviewed: June 2019

At least one finding shows promising evidence of effectiveness
At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
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

Overall Knowledge of Multiple Strategies

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

5 Days

Full sample: No Strategy (Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
63 students

0.51

0.39

Yes

 
 
25
 

Use of Efficient Strategies--Use of a Shortcut Strategy

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

5 Days

Full sample: No Strategy (Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
63 students

0.01

0.00

Yes

--
 

Use of multiple strategies

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

5 Days

Full sample: No Strategy (Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
63 students

0.65

0.45

No

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

All Equations

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

5 Days

Full sample: No Strategy (Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
63 students

0.68

0.72

No

--


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.


  • Suburban

Setting

2 large, suburban middleclass school districts

Intervention Group

Students were encouraged to discover multiple strategies for solving linear equations with one unknown. For example, they were sometimes asked to solve a problem again using a different ordering of steps. The intervention took place over 5 consecutive days during the summer.

Comparison Group

Instead of solving a problem again, students worked on a new problem that was similar in underlying structure. The problems were all linear equations with one unknown.

Reviewed: June 2017

At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
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

Use of Efficient Strategies--Use of a Shortcut Strategy

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

5 Days

Full sample: Strategy (Not Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
66 students

0.21

0.00

Yes

 
 
32

Overall Knowledge of Multiple Strategies

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

5 Days

Full sample: Strategy (Not Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
66 students

0.50

0.39

No

--

Use of multiple strategies

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

5 Days

Full sample: Strategy (Not Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
66 students

0.46

0.45

No

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

All Equations

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

5 Days

Full sample: Strategy (Not Prompted) vs. No Strategy (Not Prompted);
66 students

0.76

0.72

No

--


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.


  • Suburban

Setting

2 large, suburban middle-class school districts

Intervention Group

Students received an 8-minute period of strategy instruction, during which a researcher demonstrated the most effi­cient solution for each of 3 problems involving linear equations with one unknown. The intervention took place over 5 consecutive days dur­ing the summer.

Comparison Group

Students solved a new problem that was similar in form to a problem they had previously solved during the first day of instruction. The problems 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: 62%
    Male: 38%

  • Suburban

Reviewed: May 2012

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: 62%
    Male: 38%

  • Suburban
  • Race
    White
    75%
 

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