Factors affecting the process of proficient mental addition and subtraction: Case studies of flexible and inflexible computers

Heirdsfield, Ann M. and Cooper, Thomas J. (2004) Factors affecting the process of proficient mental addition and subtraction: Case studies of flexible and inflexible computers. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 23(4). pp. 443-463.

Full text available as:

PDF
202Kb

DOI : 10.1016/j.jmathb.2004.09.005

Abstract

The relationship between mental computation and number sense is complex: mental computation can facilitate number sense when students are encouraged to be flexible, but flexibility and number sense is neither sufficient nor necessary for accuracy in mental computation. It is possible for familiarity with a strategy to compensate for a lack of number sense and inefficient processes. This study reports on six case studies exploring Year 3 students’ procedures for and understanding of mental addition and subtraction, and understanding of number sense and other cognitive, metacognitive, and affective factors associated with mental computation. The case studies indicate that the mental computation process is composed of four stages in which cognitive, metacognitive and affective factors operate differently for flexible and inflexible computers. The authors propose a model in which the differences between computer types are seen in terms of the application of different knowledges in number facts, numeration, effect of operation on number, and beliefs and metacognition on strategy choice and strategy implementation.

ID Code:	1133
Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords :	mathematics education, mental computation, addition, subtraction
ISSN:	0732-3123
Subjects:	Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > EDUCATION (130000) > CURRICULUM AND PEDAGOGY (130200) > Mathematics and Numeracy Curriculum and Pedagogy (130208)
Divisions:	QUT Faculties and Divisions > Faculty of Education
Copyright Owner :	Copyright 2004 Elsevier
Copyright Statement :	Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.
Deposited On:	27 Apr 2005
Last Modified:	03 Dec 2008 12:23

Export: EndNote | Dublin Core

Repository Staff Only: item control page