Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

The Relationship Between Middle School Students' Knowledge Of The Concept Of Variable And The Use Of Concrete Manipulatives, Maureen E. Busta

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Algebra is a difficult subject for a number of high school students. One of the major concepts involved in the learning of algebra is the use of variables. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of concrete manipulatives on middle school students' knowledge of the concept of variable and attitudes toward mathematics.

An experimental study was conducted involving 335 students and 13 teachers. Teachers volunteered to be in the treatment or comparison group. Teachers in the treatment group were trained in the use of Hands-On Equations and used the materials in their classrooms for …