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A reflection on Star and Seifert’s operationalisation of flexibility in equation solving
Citation
Hatisaru, V, A reflection on Star and Seifert's operationalisation of flexibility in equation solving, For the Learning of Mathematics, 42, (2) pp. 37-44. ISSN 0228-0671 (2021) [Refereed Article]
Abstract
My interest in flexibility in equation solving comes from a
research agenda whose aim is the study of flexibility in the
teaching and learning of algebra. Several researchers have
proposed operationalisations. One of the most relevant of
these is the one proposed by Star and Seifert (2006). In this
operational definition, flexibility is knowing multiple solution procedures to a problem and having the capacity to
generate new and more efficient procedures to solve it. Even
though this definition has had an impact on the research on
flexibility (e.g., Xu et al., 2017), there are calls for a more
comprehensive account (e.g., Ionescu, 2012) given flexibility’s contribution to efficient problem solving.
Here I offer a reflection about flexibility in equation solving that extends the definition by Star and Seifert. To this
end, I offer examples of equation solving that suggest that
there is a need for another property in the definition, to
deepen both the investigation of students’ flexibility in equation solving and its fostering in teaching. I add ‘connections’
because when performing transformational activities, students make a number of procedural connections.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | connections, flexibility in equation solving, algebra teaching and learning |
Research Division: | Education |
Research Group: | Curriculum and pedagogy |
Research Field: | Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy |
Objective Division: | Education and Training |
Objective Group: | Learner and learning |
Objective Field: | Secondary education |
UTAS Author: | Hatisaru, V (Dr Vesife Hatisaru) |
ID Code: | 145491 |
Year Published: | 2021 |
Deposited By: | Education |
Deposited On: | 2021-07-23 |
Last Modified: | 2022-08-23 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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