ABSTRACT
Alternative conceptions are one of the most common errors that students commit especially in dealing with problems in Mathematics. This study identified the alternative conceptions of Grade 9 students of Lucsuhin National High School for school year 2022-2023 from the identified lessons in Algebra. Specifically, it investigated the students’ level of performance and alternative perceptions in solving quadratic equation, quadratic inequalities, and graphs of quadratic functions. The significant relationship between the alternative conceptions and students’ level of performance in algebra was determined. Intervention material was proposed to address the misconceptions.
The study utilized the descriptive method of research. A researcher – made questionnaire was the main data - gathering instrument complemented by a documentary analysis of the students’ scores on their tests. Respondents were 241 Grade 9 students who were randomly selected. Statistical tools were used to treat gathered data. As revealed, students have low level of performance in the identified topics. The common misconceptions committed includes using different methods and identifying relationships of the roots and intercept of quadratic equations. For quadratic inequalities and graphs of quadratic functions, misconceptions came from interpreting the solution regions, and understanding behavior of the graph, shape, opening, values, and location of vertex. Statistically, it was found out that there is a significant relationship between the perceived alternative conceptions of students to their level of performance to the identified topics in Grade 9 Algebra. The use of the intervention material made can be considered as an alternative method of addressing misconceptions in the identified topics. The scope of the study can be expanded dealing with other areas of Mathematics wherein teaching guides and learning materials can be crafted.
Keywords: Alternative conceptions, quadratic equations, quadratic inequalities, quadratic functions, intervention activities
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