Description:

Previous Award Number: R305H030006
Previous Awardee: Yale University

Purpose: In this project, researchers sought to examine whether making mathematical problems appear more practical (that is, related to the context of everyday life) would improve students' performance and mathematical knowledge compared to problems that appear more academic (that is, abstracted from any everyday context). To do so, the researchers investigated which of the factors made mathematical problems seem more practical and also contributed to better student performance on those problems and how to shape instruction to take advantage of those factors. Also as part of this work, the researchers proposed to create a pool of test problems that reflect the presence or absence of those factors that contribute to giving problems a significantly practical context.

Structured Abstract

THE FOLLOWING CONTENT DESCRIBES THE PROJECT AT THE TIME OF FUNDING

The researchers are carrying out two series of studies with fourth- and sixth-grade public school students in an area serving a large proportion of low-income minority families. The first series of nine studies involve isolating various features of what makes a problem appear 'practical' to students tested, such as having physical objects to manipulate or being rewarded for the right answer. This information will be used to determine whether those factors are related to better student performance. Using the results of these studies, the researchers will create a pool of test problems that reflect the presence or absence of those factors that contribute to giving problems a significantly practical context.

In the second series of studies, classrooms of students will be randomly assigned to teachers using standard instructional materials or teachers using instructional materials designed to present mathematical problems in practical contexts. The previously designed test problems will be used to determine the outcome. The topics covered by the instructional materials in these two studies will be equivalent fractions, which is relatively difficult to present in practical contexts and measurement, which is relatively easy to contextualize.

Products and Publications

ERIC Citations: Find available citations in ERIC for this award here or here.

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Journal articles

McNeil, N., Uttal, D.H., Jarvin, L., and Sternberg, R.J. (2009). Should You Show Me the Money? Concrete Objects Both Hurt and Help Performance on Mathematics Problems. Learning and Instruction, 19(2): 171–184.

McNeil, N.M., and Jarvin, L. (2007). When Theories Don't Add Up: Disentangling the Manipulatives Debate. Theory Into Practice, 46(4): 309–316.

Sternberg, R. (2008). Applying Psychological Theories to Educational Practice. American Educational Research Journal, 45(1): 150–165.