A Comparison of Concurrent and Sequential Instruction of Four Types of Verbal Math Problem

Abstract

Twenty-nine third grade students were trained in teacher led direct instruction to use a generalizable strategy to solve four structurally different types of addition and subtraction verbal math problems. One group (n = 13) received training on the different types of problems in an ordered sequence. The other group (n = 16) received daily training on a random assortment of the different types of problems. The interaction between the training conditions and preposttestings was statistically significant [F(1, 27) = 12.78, p < .01]. There was a significant difference between posttest scores of the two training conditions, due primarily to gains of the students in sequential training. Implications for instructional design are discussed.