International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210
International Journal of Progressive Education
International Association of Educators

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2021, Vol. 17(4) 1-16

An Examination of Open-Ended Mathematics Questions’ Affordances

Erhan Bingölbali & Ferhan Bingölbali

pp. 1 - 16   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2021.366.1   |  Manu. Number: MANU-2006-28-0003.R2

Published online: August 08, 2021  |   Number of Views: 506  |  Number of Download: 803

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Abstract

This study explores the affordances that the open-ended questions hold in comparison with those of closed-ended questions through examining 6th grade students’ performance on a mathematics test. For this purpose, a questionnaire including 2 open-ended and 2 closed-ended questions was applied to 36 6th grade students. The questions were prepared in the light of four categories: (i) question with one correct outcome (closed-ended), (ii) question with multiple fixed outcomes (closed-ended), (iii) question with multiple variable outcomes (open-ended), and (iv) question with limitless outcomes (open-ended). The collected data were analysed in terms of correct, incorrect, uncategorized and unanswered categories as well as with regard to the diversity of the responses. The findings reveal that students showed lower performances for the question that requires limitless outcomes, there were a lack of generalizations or general rules in their responses and they provided more diverse responses for the open-ended questions. The findings were discussed with regard to higher-order thinking skills such as creativity and divergent thinking as they are often associated with open-ended questions and their affordances. Finally some implications are put forward and further research areas are highlighted.

Keywords: Open-Ended Question, Question With Multiple Correct Outcomes, Creativity, Divergent and Convergent Thinking, Mathematic Teaching

How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Bingolbali, E. & Bingolbali, F. (2021). An Examination of Open-Ended Mathematics Questions’ Affordances . International Journal of Progressive Education, 17(4), 1-16. doi: 10.29329/ijpe.2021.366.1

Harvard
Bingolbali, E. and Bingolbali, F. (2021). An Examination of Open-Ended Mathematics Questions’ Affordances . International Journal of Progressive Education, 17(4), pp. 1-16.

Chicago 16th edition
Bingolbali, Erhan and Ferhan Bingolbali (2021). "An Examination of Open-Ended Mathematics Questions’ Affordances ". International Journal of Progressive Education 17 (4):1-16. doi:10.29329/ijpe.2021.366.1.
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