Investigating junior high school students' length estimation ability and strategies
Conference contribution (Article) › Research
Publication data
| By | Hsin-Mei Huang, Aiso Heinze, Silke Ruwisch, Jessica Hoth, Hong-Wei Chang |
| Original language | English |
| Published in | Alan Rogersen, Janina Morska (Eds.), The Mathematics Education for the Future Project: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference: Theory and Practice: An Interface or a Great Divide? 4-9 Aug, 2019, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland. (Conference proceedings in mathematics education; vol. 4) |
| Pages | 223-228 |
| Editor (Publisher) | WTM |
| ISBN | 978-3-95987-111-2, 978-3-95987-112-9 |
| Publication status | Published – 08.2019 |
This study investigated junior high school students’ length estimation ability with respect to everyday objects with lengths between 1 millimetre and 1 meter. Students’ strategies used for estimating the length of the longer side of a basketball court in school were analysed. A total of 240 Grade 7-9 students from cities in northern Taiwan completed a paper-and-pencil test assessing length estimation abilities. Results showed a significant gender effect on length estimation, but neither effects of grade level nor any interaction between grade level and gender on length estimation. About 40% of the students used effective strategies for estimating length measures, including visualizing, utilizing body parts, applying previous experiences, using a mental ruler, and making use of objects nearby. Still, about 60% of the students used ineffective strategies such as guessing. Implications for research and education practices are discussed.
