Sixth-Grade Students' Pattern Generalization Approaches

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Sixth-Grade Students' Pattern Generalization Approaches
Language: English
Authors: Zeycan Kama (ORCID 0009-0003-0343-0575), Mine Isiksal Bostan (ORCID 0000-0001-7619-1390), Zelha Tunç Pekkan (ORCID 0000-0001-7194-6088)
Source: Journal of Pedagogical Research. 2023 7(5):136-155.
Availability: Journal of Pedagogical Research. Duzce University, Faculty of Education, Konuralp Campus, 81620, Duzce, Turkey. e-mail: ijopr.editor@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijopr.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Grade 6
Intermediate Grades
Middle Schools
Junior High Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Grade 6, Generalization, Rote Learning, Algebra, Mathematics Instruction, Teaching Methods, Curriculum Development, Mathematical Concepts, Middle School Students, Concept Formation, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Turkey
ISSN: 2602-3717
Abstract: This study investigates sixth-grade Turkish students' pattern-generalization approaches among arithmetical generalization, algebraic generalization, and naïve induction. A qualitative case study design was employed. The data was collected from four sixth-grade students through the Pattern Questionnaire (PQ) and individual interviews based on the questionnaire. The findings revealed that all students generalized near terms using arithmetical generalization as the first step and then they mostly looked for a general rule through memorized procedures by skipping far term generalization. When they found the general rule, far terms were calculated by rote. In other words, students did not generalize the pattern to far terms using an algebraic generalization. The current study's findings would give valuable information to the mathematics educators regarding the necessity of avoiding creating a procedural instructional environment by focusing on the rote procedure of finding the general rule of a pattern. These findings would also expand the horizons of curriculum developers regarding the importance of objectives about both near terms and far term generalization by progressing from arithmetical generalization to algebraic generalization.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1411758
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study investigates sixth-grade Turkish students' pattern-generalization approaches among arithmetical generalization, algebraic generalization, and naïve induction. A qualitative case study design was employed. The data was collected from four sixth-grade students through the Pattern Questionnaire (PQ) and individual interviews based on the questionnaire. The findings revealed that all students generalized near terms using arithmetical generalization as the first step and then they mostly looked for a general rule through memorized procedures by skipping far term generalization. When they found the general rule, far terms were calculated by rote. In other words, students did not generalize the pattern to far terms using an algebraic generalization. The current study's findings would give valuable information to the mathematics educators regarding the necessity of avoiding creating a procedural instructional environment by focusing on the rote procedure of finding the general rule of a pattern. These findings would also expand the horizons of curriculum developers regarding the importance of objectives about both near terms and far term generalization by progressing from arithmetical generalization to algebraic generalization.
ISSN:2602-3717