Mistakes and Misconceptions of Elementary School Students About the Concept of 'variable

Abstract

Since the concept of 'variable' requires abstract thinking ( epistemological) and because of the difficulties in teaching this concept ( pedagogical) and approaches of the students towards the concept of 'variable' ( psychological), misconceptions and mistakes occur in teaching this concept. The purpose of this study is to detect the mistakes and misconceptions of the students about the concept of 'variable' along with the reasons for these mistakes and misconceptions and to classify these mistakes and misconceptions. In this regard, the sample of the study is composed of 50 seventh-grade students from Gazi Elementary School which is located in A city center. A test, which is composed of 8 open-ended questions, has been applied in the research in order to collect data. This test has been presented to the students in order to determine the mistakes and misconceptions of the students about the concept of 'variable'. Upon the analysis of the data obtained from the test, the mistakes and misconceptions of the students about the concept of 'variable' have been detected, and these mistakes and misconceptions have been classified in certain categories