The large rates of students' failure is a very frequent problem in undergraduate courses, being even more evident in exact sciences. Pointing out the reasons of such problem is a paramount research topic, though not an easy task. An alternative is to use Educational Data Mining techniques (EDM), which enables one to convert data from educational…

In this article we compare two frameworks for analysing young children's responses to the task of copying and extending a 6-dot triangle pattern. We used Mulligan & Mitchelmore's Awareness of Mathematical Pattern and Structure (AMPS) and then Biggs & Collis' SOLO taxonomy, both of which provide criteria for assigning levels. In comparison…

Recent educational research has turned increasing attention to the structural development of young students' mathematical thinking. Early algebra, multiplicative reasoning, and spatial structuring are three areas central to this research. There is increasing evidence that an awareness of mathematical structure is crucial to mathematical competence…