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A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Morningside Math Facts Curriculum on Fluency, Stability, Endurance and Application Outcomes

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Abstract

A randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate the impact of a frequency-building curriculum to increase the fluency of component mathematics skills in a sample of 28 males aged 9–11 years. Assessments of mathematical ability were conducted before and after the training period to evaluate the impact of learning component skills fluently on endurance, stability and application of mathematical skills. Statistically significant differences between the experimental training group and treatment-as-usual control group were found on measures of fluency, endurance, stability and one subtest of the Wechsler Individual Achievement test of mathematical ability. Results indicate the efficacy of the frequency-building curriculum in promoting fluency with component skills. Results are discussed in light of research and theory in the area of instructional design and behavioral fluency enhancement.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Aoife McTiernan, Jennifer Holloway & Michael Hogan

  2. Trinity College, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Olive Healy

Authors
  1. Aoife McTiernan
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  2. Jennifer Holloway
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  3. Olive Healy
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  4. Michael Hogan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Holloway.

Appendix

Appendix

 

Yes

No

1. It is important to learn your math well

  

2. I enjoyed practicing my math

  

3. I learned my math well

  

4. I liked trying to get my goal

  

5. I am faster with addition and subtraction now

  

6. I enjoyed working really fast and trying to beat the timer

  

7. Getting faster with addition and subtraction has helped me with my math in class

  

8. Getting my goals made me happy/feel confident

  

9. It’s important to know addition and subtraction off by heart—it helps me answer my math better

  

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McTiernan, A., Holloway, J., Healy, O. et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Morningside Math Facts Curriculum on Fluency, Stability, Endurance and Application Outcomes. J Behav Educ 25, 49–68 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-015-9227-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-015-9227-y

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