Biza, Irene, Hewitt, Dave, Watson, Anne and Mason, John (2020) Generalization Strategies in Finding the nth Term Rule for Simple Quadratic Sequences. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 18 (6). 1105–1126. ISSN 1571-0068

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Abstract

In this study, we identify ways in which a sample of 18 graduates with mathematics-related first degrees found the nth term for quadratic sequences from the first values of a sequence of data, presented on a computer screen in various formats: tabular, scattered data pairs and sequential. Participants’ approaches to identifying the nth term were recorded with eye-tracking technology. Our aims are to identify their strategies and to explore whether and how format influences these strategies. Qualitative analysis of eye-tracking data offers several strategies: Sequence of Differences, Building a Relationship, Known Formula, Linear Recursive and Initial Conjecture. Sequence of Differences was the most common strategy, but Building a Relationship was more likely to lead to the right formula. Building from Square and Factor Search were the most successful methods of Building a Relationship. Findings about the influence of format on the range of strategies were inconclusive but analysis indicated sporadic evidence of possible influences.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	eye-tracking,generalization,quadratic functions,sequences,education,mathematics(all) ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3304
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Education and Lifelong Learning
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	22 Aug 2019 10:30
Last Modified:	05 Feb 2021 02:18
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/72032
DOI:	10.1007/s10763-019-10009-0

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