How Does a Math Review Impact a Student’s Arithmetic Skills and Performance in First-Semester General Chemistry?

Early Warning Signals from Automaticity Diagnostic Instruments for First- and Second-Semester General Chemistry

“…“What is needed is not textbook formulae but greater understanding of where various numbers come from and what they actually convey.” “Misconceptions can persist, in part, because the incessant use of calculators can ‘mask’ deficiencies in mental mathematics skills and conceptual understanding, both from teachers and from the students themselves.” Several empirical studies have reported that the best predictor of success in postsecondary, first-year chemistry is the ability to solve simple calculations without a calculator . Empirical supporting evidence can be found in published research by the NSA Team. − To learn both mathematics and science proficiently, students need to automate much of their recall, and cognitive experts acknowledge that automaticity is accomplished with “memorized fundamental facts and problem-solving procedures.” Bain et al concluded that in the chemistry classroom instructional strategies aimed at promoting students’ reasoning abilities are enhanced by cultivating positive self-beliefs with respect to mathematical reasoning …”

“…A few studies related to general chemistry have focused on local assessments of basic arithmetic abilities without the use of a calculator. − ,− The framework for this study is rooted in the learning theory, constructivism. With respect to this theory and this study, it is assumed that student’s prior knowledge and experiences used to construct their understanding occur in the mind of the learner and cannot simply be transmitted. , Previous research has shown that QR and arithmetic are predictors of success in chemistry across the curriculum, and it has been pointed out that a student’s lack of numeracy impedes learning.…”

“…With respect to this theory and this study, it is assumed that student’s prior knowledge and experiences used to construct their understanding occur in the mind of the learner and cannot simply be transmitted. , Previous research has shown that QR and arithmetic are predictors of success in chemistry across the curriculum, and it has been pointed out that a student’s lack of numeracy impedes learning. The student usually attributes this to the complexity of the subject matter at hand, but data support that the underlying reasons for difficulty are due to students’ lack of automaticity in arithmetic − combined with their inability to decipher graphs, charts, and other images (i.e., their QL) important to understanding many academic STEM disciplines.…”

“…Reported standards state that a small university has a population of less than 5,000 undergraduate students and a large university has over 30,000 with midsize institutions between. As in previous NSA studies, − data collected were from multiple universities traversing a section of Texas equivalent to the combined size of several US states (e.g., the combined area of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island or internationally an area larger than France). Included in these varying undergraduate student populations are private and public institutions, institutions from large metropolitan areas and small towns, and various accountability groups (e.g., Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), Master’s only, doctoral professional university, and R2 and R1 universities).…”

Multifaceted Chemistry Conceptual Profile of Selected Senior High School STEM Students from a Private School in Manila

“…Not just that, but also prerequisite mathematical calculations might be considered as an arithmetic language in understanding abstract chemical knowledge. In fact, a study pointed out that mathematics review predicts general chemistry achievement (Alivio, Howard, Mamiya, & Williamson, 2020). More so, demonstration supplements the triplet approach in teaching, which has a potential to let the students feel and experience unavailable resources (Meyer, Panee, Schmidt, & Nozawa).…”