The Association of Strategy Use and Concrete-Operational Thinking in Primary School

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  • University of Potsdam
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Original languageEnglish
Article number38
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalFrontiers in Education
Volume3
Issue number38
Publication statusPublished - 23 May 2018
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Concrete-operational thinking depicts an important aspect of cognitive development. A promising approach in promoting these skills is the instruction of strategies. The construction of such instructional programs requires insights into the mental operations involved in problem-solving. In the present paper, we address the question to which extent variations of the effect of isolated and combined mental operations (strategies) on correct solution of concrete-operational concepts can be observed. Therefore, a cross-sectional design was applied. The use of mental operations was measured by thinking-aloud reports from 80 first- and second-graders (N = 80) while solving tasks depicting concrete-operational thinking. Concrete-operational thinking was assessed using the subscales conservation of numbers, classification and sequences of the TEKO. The verbal reports were transcribed and coded with regard to the mental operations applied per task. Data analyses focused on tasks level, resulting in the analyses of N = 240 tasks per subscale. Differences regarding the contribution of isolated and combined mental operations (strategies) to correct solution were observed. Thereby, the results indicate the necessity of selection and integration of appropriate mental operations as strategies. The results offer insights in involved mental operations while solving concrete-operational tasks and depict a contribution to the construction of instructional programs.

Keywords

    cognitive development, primary school, process data, strategy use, thinking aloud

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Cite this

The Association of Strategy Use and Concrete-Operational Thinking in Primary School. / Börnert-Ringleb, Moritz; Wilbert, Jürgen.
In: Frontiers in Education, Vol. 3, No. 38, 38, 23.05.2018, p. 1-11.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Börnert-Ringleb M, Wilbert J. The Association of Strategy Use and Concrete-Operational Thinking in Primary School. Frontiers in Education. 2018 May 23;3(38):1-11. 38. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2018.00038
Börnert-Ringleb, Moritz ; Wilbert, Jürgen. / The Association of Strategy Use and Concrete-Operational Thinking in Primary School. In: Frontiers in Education. 2018 ; Vol. 3, No. 38. pp. 1-11.
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