Greg CripePete Wildman

Spokane Falls Community College

2ionsMisconcept

Alaska is an island?

Why is it hotter in the summer?

Is it because we are closer to the sun?

Honey I shrunk the airplane!

Misconceptions in Math

An error in mathematics can be the result of • Not being careful enough – the student knows

the idea, but just did not execute it correctly this time

• A fundamental misunderstanding of the mathematical content, symbol or process

Misconception (definition)

Certain conceptual relations that are acquired may be inappropriate within a certain context. We terms such relations as "misconceptions." A misconception does not exist independently, but is contingent upon a certain existing conceptual framework. Misconceptions can change or disappear with the framework changes

Example 1

Example 1: Simplify:

Example 1

Terms and factors

• From the text our campus currently uses–Factors are two or more signed

numbers, variables or expressions being multiplied–A term is a signed number, variable or

expression begin added or subtracted

Example 2

•Example 2: Solve

Example 2

Example 2

Example 3

A business buys a new copy machine for $8000. Five years later the copy machine is worth $2000. Write an equation for the value of the copy machine x years after it was bought.

Example 3

Example 3

Example 4

Example: Solve:

Example 4

Example 4

Example 5

Example: If Find

Example 5

Example 6

FindIf

Example 6

Example 6

Helping Students overcome Misconceptions

• Most research suggests that we should fundamentally change the way we teach math and what we teach, that this would result in better conceptual understanding of the material

BUT…..

Helping Students overcome misconceptions

• There may be political or structural reasons at your campus that makes it hard for you to do this

• Change is slow (sometimes painfully ) on college campuses and systems

• What can you do in the meantime?– Help identify misconceptions and the student

thinking behind them