Date of Award

2007

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Campus-Only Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Teaching

Advisor

John E. Donovan II

Second Committee Member

Eric A. Pandiscio

Third Committee Member

Robert Franzosa

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that students have several common misconceptions concerning variables. Two algebra surveys were developed and quantitative data were collected as a pre-test/post-test in the fall of 2006 at the University of Maine. Data were collected from each section of MAT103 (Algebraic Models in Our World), MAT111 (College Algebra) and MAT 126 (Calculus I). Common wrong answers were documented and several misconceptions were analyzed. The results of this study show that students possess many of the same misconceptions before and after their coursework. Several of these misconceptions are analyzed and discussed.

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