Differences of Algebraic Performances by 7th Graders With and Without Deductive Reasoning Training

ABSTRACT DIFFERENCES OF ALGEBRAIC PERFORMANCES BY 7TH GRADERS WITH AND WITHOUT DEDUCTIVE REASONING TRAINING by © Luna Katayama 2010 Master of Arts in Social Science California State University, Chico Spring 2010 Japanese mathematics education has provided students with deductive problem- solving practices in mathematics. However, this type of education is not currently offered in American mathematics classrooms. Learning from Japan’s success in mathematics education, deductive reasoning training may be necessary in American mathematics classrooms to improve mathematics skills of American students. This study postulated that 141 Chico Junior High School (CJHS) seventh graders could improve their algebra scores by using deductive reasoning practices and learning mathematics deductively. Also, the study examined whether or not learning mathematics with deductive reasoning training was more effective in improving the students’ mathematics performances than without it. A survey was given to the participants to explore the possibility that their attitudes toward learning mathematics were different from Japanese students xii and to determine if any factors such as their socio-cultural backgrounds may have generally affected their mathematics performances. The test results indicated that deductive reasoning practices helped the students, especially the boys, improve their performances in algebra. However, this did not mean that learning mathematics with deductive reasoning practices was a better learning method than without it. The survey results suggested that the Asian/Pacific islander students seemed to have more positive attitudes toward learning math than the other ethnic students, and the native English speakers understood mathematics lectures better than the English language learners did. Also, the Japanese students seemed to have more positive attitudes toward learning mathematics than the CJHS seventh grade students did.