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Mathematical metacognitive characteristics of Chinese middle school students in efficient mathematics learning

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was firstly to investigate the mathematical metacognitive characteristics of high-efficiency students by comparing high-efficiency and low-efficiency students. Secondly, the aim was to explore the pathways of mathematical metacognition of efficient mathematics learners in mathematics achievement. In this study, second-year Chinese middle school students were divided into a high-efficiency group (n = 297) and a low-efficiency group (n = 203) according to their learning efficiency in mathematics. The results indicated that the mathematical metacognitive knowledge and mathematical metacognitive monitoring of the students with high efficiency in mathematics learning were better than those of the other group. Their mathematical metacognitive characteristics were mainly reflected in the five dimensions of regulation, inspection, knowledge about individuals, knowledge about tasks, and knowledge about strategies. Furthermore, path analysis revealed that both mathematical metacognitive monitoring and mathematical metacognitive experience directly affected the mathematics achievement of students in the highly effective group. Mathematical metacognitive knowledge had an indirect effect on mathematics achievement. The findings imply that teachers should focus on the guidance of mathematical metacognition in mathematics instruction.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Lidong Wang from Beijing Normal University and Prof. Yuhuan Zhang from Henan University for their support and valuable comments on data collection and paper revision.

Funding

This research was funded by the Key Cultivation Project of Tianjin Teaching Achievement Award: Research and Development of Mathematics Learning Assessment Tool and Its Practical Application (PYJJ-036).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Tianjin Normal University, No. 393 Extension of Bin Shui West Road, Tianjin, 300387, China

    Guangming Wang, Yiming Zhen, Xia Chen & Yueyuan Kang

  2. Tianjin Number One Middle School of Binhai, S103 Jin Han Road, Tianjin, 300308, China

    Baorui Cui

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  1. Guangming Wang
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  2. Yiming Zhen
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  3. Xia Chen
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  4. Yueyuan Kang
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Correspondence to Guangming Wang.

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Wang, G., Zhen, Y., Chen, X. et al. Mathematical metacognitive characteristics of Chinese middle school students in efficient mathematics learning. ZDM Mathematics Education 54, 543–554 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-022-01366-2

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