Mathematical Symbols, Learning Experiences and Number Sense: A Study of Three Grades Primary School Students

Abstract

This study investigated the characteristics of three grades primary school students on number sensing. The performances on number sensing are dissimilar with different learning materials. While learning experiences also contributed to their number sensing process. 40 students selected from three grades were required to finish selection tasks. All 40 students had to select numerical value larger one from two spatial cubes, or from two Arabic digits, or from two lowercase Chinese character numbers. The results indicate that all students had easier selection process with Arabic numbers, while they had relative greater difficulty in making selection on numerical value with spatial cubes. The comparisons on mean scores and on reaction times from different-grade students indicate that all fourth-grade students had more learning experiences to develop number sense well, therefore their performances were better than other two grades’.