Causes of the Students Error in Solving Verbal Problem on Fraction: A Case Study

Abstract

This is a study on "Causes of the students error in solving verbal problem on fraction: A case study". The main objective of the study was to explore the causes of error made by students and find the ways to minimize the errors on solving verbal problem on fraction. Class seven 'A' students (6 students) of H. S. S were case students selected by convenience sampling. The qualitative case study was used as a research design and open ended unstructured interview and observation guideline were major tool of this study. Newman's Theory was used as theoretical framework. Causes of students errors was found as lack of motivation, lack of fundamental concepts of fractions, lack of language skill, carelessness and laziness of the students. Causes of reading errors were lack of linguistic knowledge, lack of knowledge to recognize the symbol use in solving verbal problem on fraction. Causes of comprehension errors are students pay only partial attention to the teacher explanation, students often mix-up the rules, students unable to identify the correct operation. The causes of transformation error were lack of concept and meaning of mathematical words/ terms, focuses only the calculation.Causes of process skill error were focus on finding the answer of the problem, lack of use of teaching materials, revision and practice at home. The causes of encoding error was found as due to the carelessness of students, lack of examination and providing feedback. The causes of carelessness error were found as student's ignorance, copying the problem wrongly and dropping alternate sign. Improve language skill of students, provide fundamental knowledge, appropriate used of teaching materials to develop the concept, more practice during home as well as school, teacher and parents should help to reduce the students error that help to minimize the errors in solving verbal problem on fraction.