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Cited by 45Mathematics Education and PedagogyCognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skillsMathematics Education and Teaching Techniques

Semantic congruence in arithmetic: A new conceptual model for word problem solving

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Gros, Hippolyte, Thibaut, Jean-Pierre, Sander, Emmanuel·2020·Educational Psychologist
DOI 10.1080/00461520.2019.1691004
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Abstract

Arithmetic problem solving is a crucial part of mathematics education. However, existing problem solving theories do not fully account for the semantic constraints partaking in the encoding and recoding of arithmetic word problems. In this respect, the limitations of the main existing models in the literature are discussed. We then introduce the Semantic Congruence (SECO) model, a theoretical model depicting how world and mathematical semantics interact in the encoding, recoding, and solving of arithmetic word problems. The SECO model’s ability to account for emblematic results in educational psychology is scrutinized through six case studies encompassing a wide range of effects observed in previous works. The influence of world semantics on learners’ problem representations and solving strategies is put forward, as well as the difficulties arising from semantic incongruence between representations and algorithms. Special attention is given to the recoding of semantically incongruent representations, a crucial step that learners struggle with.

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Research works printed but not linked: 11

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Authors
Gros, H., Thibaut, J.-P., & Sander, E.
Affiliations
  • Learning Planet Institute (FR)
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
  • University of Geneva (CH)
Corresponding author
Gros, Hippolyte
ORCID
Venue
Educational Psychologist
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2020-02-18
Volume
55
Issue
2
Pages
69-87
ISSN
  • 0046-1520 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-6985
DOI
10.1080/00461520.2019.1691004
OpenAlex
W3007354414
Cited by
45
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1
FWCI
5.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-nd
Locations
  • Educational Psychologist (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Applied Mathematics › Mathematics Education and Pedagogy
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills
  • Social Sciences › Education › Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques
Keywords
arithmetic word problems, semantic congruence, denotational semantics, problem encoding, problem representation, solution strategies, semantic incongruence, arithmetic problem solving

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