Investigating Indonesian students' difficulties in initial algebra

Abstract

In the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007, Indonesian students’ achievement in the algebra domain was significantly below the international average. This fact leads to this study aiming at investigating Indonesian students’ difficulties in algebra. To do so, an individual written test on algebra tasks was administered and followed by interviews. A sample of 33 grade seven Indonesian students worked on written test, and nineteen of them were interviewed afterwards. Data analysis revealed that mathematization, understanding algebraic expressions, applying arithmetic operations, understanding the different meanings of the equal sign, and understanding variables, constituted observed difficulties in both the written test and interview data. The consequence of these findings for future research is discussed.