Microcourse 3

Analyzing student work helps teachers understand how students reason about mathematical ideas. When teachers study student strategies and misconceptions, they gain insight into how students are making sense of mathematics.

In this module, participants analyze student solutions to identify patterns in reasoning and misconceptions. Teachers will consider how student thinking can guide instructional decisions and help students continue exploring mathematical ideas.

Topics Covered

• analyzing student strategies
• identifying misconceptions
• interpreting patterns in student work
• using student thinking to guide instruction
• interpreting student representations (models, diagrams, equations) to understand reasoning
• extending mathematical exploration based on student ideas

Guiding Questions

• What strategies do students use to solve this problem?
• What misconceptions appear in student work?
• What does this work reveal about student understanding?<
• What mathematical ideas are students exploring through these strategies?
• What teacher questions could extend student thinking?

Key Terms

Student Work Analysis
Examining student solutions to understand how students reason about mathematical ideas.

Misconception
An incomplete or incorrect understanding of a mathematical concept.

Emerging Understanding
When students demonstrate partial or developing understanding of a concept.

Instructional Insight
Information gained from student work that informs instructional decisions.