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Using a multi-dimensional approach to understanding to assess primary students' mathematical knowledge
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Type
Conference paper
Citation
Thompson, D., Berinderjeet Kaur, & Bleiler, S. K. (2010, August). Using a multi-dimensional approach to understanding to assess primary students' mathematical knowledge [Paper presentation]. 5th East Asia Regional Conference on Mathematics Education, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
Mathematics assessment should involve more than just assessing students' knowledge of content. How students understand the content is important and should also be a part of the assessment process. For robust knowledge, students need a multi-dimensional understanding of content, including a focus on skills, properties, uses, and representations related to the content under study. This paper discusses the importance of assessing students' understanding across various dimensions and illustrates how their understanding can vary by dimension. Specific examples of assessment items come from the International Project on Mathematical Attainment, a longitudinal study of primary students' achievement in which the United States of America and Singapore were participants. Achievement results from these two countries illustrate how a focus on overall results, without consideration of an analysis by dimension of understanding, can mask important similarities and differences in achievement.
Date Issued
August 2010
Description
This paper was presented at the 5th East Asia Regional Conference on Mathematics Education, held in Tokyo, Japan from 18 – 22 Aug 2010