A theoretical model describing Grade 7 students' rational number sense was formulated and validated empirically (n = 360), hypothesizing that rational number sense is a general construct consisting of three factors: basic rational number sense, arithmetic sense, and flexibility with rational numbers. Data analysis suggested that rational-number…

Previous research has demonstrated a link between children's ability to name canonical finger configurations and their mathematical abilities. This study aimed to investigate the nature of this association, specifically exploring whether the relationship is skill and handshape specific and identifying the underlying mechanisms involved.…

To explain children's difficulties learning fraction arithmetic, Braithwaite et al. (2017) proposed FARRA, a theory of fraction arithmetic implemented as a computational model. The present study tested predictions of the theory in a new domain, decimal arithmetic, and investigated children's use of conceptual knowledge in that domain. Sixth and…

Equal representation as a social issue is about the participation of one social group, in a particular context, in proportion to the numbers in the group within the total population. The proportion of women in parliament, and of the participation rate of students of lower socioeconomic status in higher education, are examples. The aims of this…

Integer arithmetic is difficult for students worldwide. Although students' integer thinking has frequently been studied, little is known about typical instructional practice for this difficult topic. Thus, to investigate what resources teachers use, we surveyed U.S. middle-grade teachers who teach negative numbers. About half the teachers said…

Over the last years, there is a growing interest in studying students' difficulties with rational numbers from a cognitive/developmental perspective, focusing on the role of prior knowledge in students' understanding of rational numbers. The present study tests the effect of the "whole" or "natural number bias" (i.e., the…

Skills and understanding of operations with negative numbers, which are typically taught in middle school, are crucial aspects of numerical competence necessary for all subsequent mathematics. To more swiftly and coherently develop the field's understanding of how to foster this critical competence, we need shared measures that allow us to compare…

In this study, we investigated how secondary students interpret algebraic expressions that contain literal symbols to stand for variables. We hypothesized that the natural number bias (i.e., the tendency to over-rely on knowledge and experiences based on natural numbers) would affect students to think that the literal symbols stand for natural…

Students exhibiting mature number sense make sense of numbers and operations, use reasoning to notice patterns, and flexibly select the most effective and efficient problem-solving strategies (McIntosh et al., 1997; Reys et al., 1999; Yang, 2005). Despite being highlighted in national standards and policy documents (CCSS, 2010; NCTM, 2000, 2014),…

Number line models provide a visual aid for students to examine the relationship of integers with each other and facilitate learning of integers and integer operations. Such models are typically used when students are asked real-life problems. This study employs a qualitative case study design to perform an in-depth analysis of how middle grade…

This study examines the conceptual understanding of numbers and operations among 372 fifth-grade students, based on their responses to an online three-tier test designed to assess their number sense, declarative knowledge, explanatory knowledge, and confidence. The results showed that most students had low performance and low number sense, with…

This study investigates students' and adults' performance in judging reasonableness of computational results, namely reflecting on whether these results qualify as acceptable answers to mathematical tasks. Data was gathered via task-based questionnaires from 160 participants, evenly divided between fifth-graders and adults. Their responses to a…

Grounded in problem-based learning and with respect to four mathematics domains (arithmetic, random events and counting, number theory, and geometry), we designed a series of programming-based learning tasks for middle school students to co-develop computational thinking (CT) and corresponding mathematical thinking. Various CT concepts and…

As AI increasingly enters classrooms, educational designers have begun investigating students' learning processes vis-à-vis simultaneous feedback from active sources--AI and the teacher. Nevertheless, there is a need to delve into a more comprehensive understanding of the orchestration of interactions between teachers and AI systems in educational…

Mathematics is one of the universal subjects taught in schools across the globe. Knowledge, understanding, and application of mathematics are essential for all members of society to fully participate without restrictions in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers (Gulnaz & Fatima, 2019). Although universal and…