Week 7 - TechGrads

Identify all the steps, break them down to entry level, and write a generality that includes the goal and the steps at entry level. 

Steps for solving equations

I would instruct students to always try to solve equations in the order below. 

Note: Most algebra problems only have some of the steps - not all those listed below.

First - get rid of any fractions

Second - get rid of any parentheses

Third - combine like terms to get all the variable terms together and the number terms together

Fourth - move all the variable terms by adding or subtracting (using the property of opposites) on both sides of the equal sign so the variable terms are all on one side of the equal sign

Fifth - move any number terms by adding or subtracting (using the property of opposites) on both sides of the equal sign so the number terms are all on the other side of the equal sign from the variable term

Sixth - if there is a number multiplied by the variable, get rid of it by dividing

Share the reasons why procedural tasks are important. References are needed.

Catrambone (1990) pointed out that more detailed instructions have the benefit of being definite and make the task easier to complete initially as they describe exactly what needs to be done to accomplish the task.  Furthermore, procedural instructions are an important condition for determining learning  and transfer.

Catrambone, R. (1990). Specific versus general procedures in instructions.  Human-Computer Interaction, 5(1), 49-93.