Newman’s error analysis

1. Newman’s error analysis Bernard Tola

2. Making mistakes Students can make mistakes in answering numeracy questions for different reasons. Newman’s research elaborated the different hurdles in answering a contextual word problem that can cause students to stumble. Perhaps the two hurdles currently best known by teachers are reading and comprehension.

3. The hurdles Newman identified that students may have difficulty in • reading the words, • understanding what they have read, • transforming what they have read so as to be able to form a course of action, • following through on procedures, or • encoding the result of a procedure to answer the question.

4. The 5 steps Read the question to me. What is the question asking you to find out? What method did (could) you use? Try doing it and as you are doing it tell me what you are thinking. Now write down your answer.

5. The purpose Reading Read the question to me. What is the question asking you to find out? What method could you use to get the answer? Try doing it and as you are doing it tell me what you are thinking. Now write down your answer. Comprehension Transformation Process skills Encoding

6. An example

7. James

8. Newman’s method in the classroom Reading Comprehension Transformation Process skills Encoding Which hurdle caused this student the most problems?

9. Newman’s method in the classroom In using Newman’s error analysis in the classroom, it is recommended that you always go at least one step past where the first error occurs.

10. Eugenia

11. Newman’s method in the classroom Reading Comprehension Transformation Process skills Encoding Which hurdle caused this student the most problems?

12. At your table

13. Newman’s method in the classroom Reading Comprehension Transformation Process skills Encoding Where do you think this student had problems?

14. At your table

15. Newman’s method in the classroom Reading Comprehension Transformation Process skills Encoding Where do you think this student had problems?

16. Using Newman’s in the classroom Suppose a student puts up his hand and says, “I can’t do this question!” Responding with a slight variation of Newman’s five questions can help to identify where the sticking point is.

17. In the classroom Read the question quietly to yourself and let me know if you want help with any word. Can you tell me what the question is asking you to find out? What could you do to get the answer? Try doing it and as you are doing it tell me what you are thinking. Now write down your answer.

18. SNAP task The first international cricket team to tour England was an Aboriginal team. The team won 14 matches, drew 19 matches and lost 14 matches. How many matches were played?

19. Cassy’s written response

20. Cassy

21. Newman’s method in the classroom Reading Comprehension Transformation Processing skills Encoding Where do you think this student had problems?

22. SNAP 2006

23. One to ponder

25. Want to find out more about NEA? • http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/mathematics/numeracy/newman/index.htm • http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/mathematics/numeracy/newman/index.htm