A Study on sixth grade students' understanding of multiplication of fractions using Pirie and Kieren model

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2012
Düzenli Gökalp, Nurgül
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The purposes of this study were to investigate sixth grade students’ understanding of multiplication of fractions in terms of the Pirie–Kieren Model of Understanding in the light of use of multiple representations and to improve mapping feature of the current theory to increase depicting power of the maps produced. One of the qualitative research methods, case study design was used. This study was conducted with two sixth grade students at a public school in Etimesgut, Ankara in the spring semester of 2009-2010. Students learnt fractions. They completed activity sheets during the lessons. They completed self-evaluation forms and wrote journals just after the instruction. After that semi- structured interviews were conducted with two students in order to analyze their understanding about multiplication of fractions. The data collected from interviews were used to reveal understanding maps of each student. Moreover, the data from activity sheets, student journals, observations, and self-evaluation forms were used to strengthen the findings from the interviews. This study showed that there was a relationship between students’ preference on the use of different type of representations and attained understanding level of multiplication of fractions. It was also found that establishing connection between multiplication of fraction concept and real life usage of these concepts and extending whole number multiplication to the multiplication with the fractions were acted as an obstacle for understanding the multiplication of fractions. In the current study, it was seen that there was a relationship between question type and students use of representations. Moreover, teachers should use different type of representations in their classrooms more frequently in order to help students to reach higher level of understandings. Teachers should also connect new ideas to what the students have already learned for deeper understanding of them.
Arithmetic, Mathematics, Fractions, Education, Secondary.
http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12615371/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/22274
Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis

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Citation Formats
N. Düzenli Gökalp, “A Study on sixth grade students’ understanding of multiplication of fractions using Pirie and Kieren model,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2012.
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