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Biza, Irene; Hewitt, Dave; Watson, Anne and Mason, John
(2020).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-019-10009-0
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.
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About
- Item ORO ID
- 71183
- Item Type
- Journal Item
- ISSN
- 1573-1774
- Keywords
- Eye-tracking; Generalization; Quadratic functions; Sequences
- Academic Unit or School
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Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Mathematics and Statistics
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) - Copyright Holders
- © 2019 The Authors
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