A STUDY OF MATHAYOMSUKSA II STUDENTS’ DEFICIENCIES IN CONCEPTUAL AND PROCEDURAL KNOWLEDGE OF POLYNOMIAL AND POLYNOMIAL FRACTIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study Mathayomsuksa II students’ deficiencies in conceptual and procedural knowledge in polynomials and polynomial fractions. Using the stratified random sampling technique, 116 students who were studying in the second semester of the 2017 Academic Year from three schools run by the Office of the Secondary Educational Service Area District 9, Suphan Buri including Danchangwittaya school, Samchukratanapokaram school and Banharnjamsaiwittaya 1 school participated in the study. We designed a test with three parts consisting of 16 items of multiple choice, 7 items of completion and 3 items of essay to evaluate conceptual-and-procedural- knowledge deficiencies of the participants about polynomials and polynomial fractions. The answers given by the students on the test were collected and analyzed to classify types of the deficiencies based on definitions of conceptual knowledge and procedural knowledge.

The research findings revealed that these students had deficiencies in both conceptual and procedural knowledge about polynomials and polynomial fractions. Three types of the deficiencies in conceptual knowledge included 1) choosing definitions or rules, 2) using definitions or rules and 3) explaining to give reasons for each step of problem solving process. For the deficiencies in procedural knowledge, there were four types as follows: 1) using data, 2) lacking basic knowledge in algebra, 3) computing based on rules or definitions and 4) completing and sequencing of problem-solving process.