Assingments % - Mastering Error Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reviewing Faulty Student Work

CHOOSE PROBLEM #4
Analyzing erroneous student work can improve your own understanding and ability to explain the steps for solving an equation.
For this group discussion, you will review the provided faulty solutions and hypothetical student work within your group. The seven questions address the learning objectives from Modules 1 and 2. Each group member should analyze a different question, so be sure to communicate in your group who is taking which question.
The document is hand-written, similar to the Show Work documents you are required to submit in Modules 5 and 9. If a screen-reader-accessible document is required, please refer to the following Module 2 Student Show Work Typed document.
Module 2 Student Show Work (PDF)Download Module 2 Student Show Work (PDF)
Module 2 Student Show Work Typed (DOCX)Download Module 2 Student Show Work Typed (DOCX)
Analyze the work to determine:
What error(s) did the student include?
Why the student may have made each error.
Rework the problem so that it is correct

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your analysis easily!

In this group discussion, you’ll need to carefully analyze the provided faulty solutions and hypothetical student work. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you break down the process and understand how to address the errors in the student’s work effectively:

Step 1: Review the Provided Problem and Student Work

Before analyzing, make sure you understand the question and the problem that the student is trying to solve. Read through the student’s work thoroughly and pay attention to each step they took in attempting the solution.

Understand the equation or concept involved: This is crucial to identifying where the student made the mistake.
Focus on the student’s reasoning: What were they trying to do in each step? Did they use the correct operations or make an incorrect assumption?

Step 2: Identify the Error(s) in the Student’s Work

Examine the student’s solution to pinpoint exactly where the error occurred. Common errors can include:

Misapplication of math rules (e.g., distributive property, factoring errors, sign errors).
Incorrect operations (e.g., multiplying when they should add or subtract).
Incorrect steps or skipped steps (e.g., forgetting to apply the order of operations).

Ask yourself these questions:

What is the first step the student performed incorrectly?
Did they make a calculation mistake?
Did they forget a necessary step or misinterpret a rule?

Step 3: Analyze Why the Error Occurred

Reflect on why the student made the error. Errors can stem from various misunderstandings or lapses in the following:

Misunderstanding of math concepts: They may have misunderstood the rule or operation required for that step.
Mistakes from rushing or skipping steps: The student might have been too quick and neglected to check their work.
Lack of familiarity with the method: The student might not have had enough practice with a particular strategy or equation-solving technique.

This step helps you understand the student’s thought process and how they arrived at the mistake.

Step 4: Rework the Problem Correctly

Now that you’ve identified and understood the error, it’s time to fix it. Here’s how you can do it:

Follow the correct steps: Go through the solution from start to finish and apply the right methods.
Write out every step: This will help you ensure accuracy and provide clear reasoning.
Check the final answer: Make sure your final solution makes sense and is consistent with the rules of the problem.

For example, if the error was in simplifying an equation, walk through the correct method for simplifying and solving that equation, checking at each step for accuracy.

Step 5: Communicate the Error and Correct Approach

When sharing your analysis with the group, make sure to clearly explain:

Where the student went wrong: Briefly explain the error.
Why the mistake was made: Offer a reasonable explanation for the student’s error (based on the steps they took).
How to solve it correctly: Walk through the correct process to help your group members understand how to reach the solution.

Step 6: Submit Your Work

Once you’ve reworked the problem and are confident with your analysis, compile your findings and submit them to your group or instructor according to the assignment guidelines.