Diagram Effective or Diagram Dependent? ...

Abstract

This paper will focus on two students who depended on diagrammatic representations in both a Fraction Screening Test and in a subsequent Structured Interview. One student attempted to use diagrams, with limited success, to identify the correct relationships, and consequently struggled to generalise her strategies as she responded to the questions presented in the interview. The other student used diagrams more effectively, and was able to move from a reliance on diagrams to using a partially multiplicative solution strategy. When supported by strong number knowledge, diagrams are an effective means for helping to solve reverse fraction tasks but may hinder students attempts to generalise the..