Observing and analyzing children's mathematical development, based on action theory

• Published in: Educational studies in mathematics Vol. 96; no. 3; pp. 289 - 304
• Main Authors: Bunck, M. J. A., Terlien, E., van Groenestijn, M., Toll, S. W. M., Van Luit, J. E. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.11.2017; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Addition; Arithmetic; Children; Construct Validity; Diagnostic systems; Dividing (mathematics); Education; Elementary School Mathematics; Elementary School Students; Elementary School Teachers; Evaluation; Low Achievement; Mathematical ability; Mathematical analysis; Mathematics; Mathematics Achievement; Mathematics Education; Mathematics Instruction; Methods; Multiplication; Quality; Reliability analysis; Subtraction; Teaching Methods; Test Reliability; Young Children; Levels of numerical actions; Mathematical development; Elementary mathematics; Diagnostic instrument; Special educational needs; Mathematical difficulties
• ISSN: 0013-1954; 1573-0816
• DOI: 10.1007/s10649-017-9763-6

Children who experience difficulties with learning mathematics should be taught by teachers who focus on the child's best way of learning. Analyses of the mathematical difficulties are necessary for fine-tuning mathematics education to the needs of these children. For this reason, an instrument for Observing and Analyzing children's Mathematical Development (OAMD), based on action theory, has been developed. The use of levels of action is a new insight in the diagnostic process. Using the OAMD makes it possible to explore and analyze a child's knowledge, proficiency and possible difficulties on four levels of acting in the domain of Number (counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). The research concerns children from kindergarten up to grade three. In this article, we will discuss the purpose and the construction of the instrument with the focus on the usability of the OAMD. The study examines the quality and the diagnostic value of the instrument by means of the internal consistency, the test-retest reliability and the construct validity. The analyses show positive results. The conclusion of the research is that the OAMD is a suitable instrument for the analysis of numerical development of young children and their possible difficulties in this domain.