A reflection on Star and Seifert’s operationalisation of flexibility in equation solving
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 01:01authored byVesife Hatisaru
My interest in flexibility in equation solving comes from a research agenda whose aim is the study of flexibility in the teaching and learning of algebra. Several researchers have proposed operationalisations. One of the most relevant of these is the one proposed by Star and Seifert (2006). In this operational definition, flexibility is knowing multiple solution procedures to a problem and having the capacity to generate new and more efficient procedures to solve it. Even though this definition has had an impact on the research on flexibility (e.g., Xu et al., 2017), there are calls for a more comprehensive account (e.g., Ionescu, 2012) given flexibility’s contribution to efficient problem solving. Here I offer a reflection about flexibility in equation solving that extends the definition by Star and Seifert. To this end, I offer examples of equation solving that suggest that there is a need for another property in the definition, to deepen both the investigation of students’ flexibility in equation solving and its fostering in teaching. I add ‘connections’ because when performing transformational activities, students make a number of procedural connections.
History
Publication title
For the Learning of Mathematics
Volume
42
Pagination
37-44
ISSN
0228-0671
Department/School
Faculty of Education
Publisher
FLM Publishing Association, New Westminster, BC
Place of publication
Canada
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Secondary education; Learner and learning not elsewhere classified; Teaching and curriculum not elsewhere classified