Psicothema. 2014;26(3):378-84. doi: 10.7334/psicothema2013.284.

Improving basic math skills through integrated dynamic representation strategies.

Psicothema

Paloma González-Castro, Marisol Cueli, Lourdes Cabeza, David Álvarez-García, Celestino Rodríguez

PMID: 25069558 DOI: 10.7334/psicothema2013.284

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we analyze the effectiveness of the Integrated Dynamic Representation strategy (IDR) to develop basic math skills.

METHOD: The study involved 72 students, aged between 6 and 8 years. We compared the development of informal basic skills (numbers, comparison, informal calculation, and informal concepts) and formal (conventionalisms, number facts, formal calculus, and formal concepts) in an experimental group (n = 35) where we applied the IDR strategy and in a Control group (n = 37) in order to identify the impact of the procedure.

RESULTS: The experimental group improved significantly in all variables except for number facts and formal calculus.

CONCLUSIONS: It can therefore be concluded that IDR favors the development of the skills more closely related to applied mathematics than those related to automatic mathematics and mental arithmetic.

MeSH terms

• Child
• Competency-Based Education / methods
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mathematics / education

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't