Are These Vectors Linearly Independent? Conceptions of Linear (In)Dependence in a Linear Algebra Textbook and Student Responses

RUME 26

2024

Omaha, Nebraska

Are These Vectors Linearly Independent? Conceptions of Linear (In)Dependence in a Linear Algebra Textbook and Student Responses

Page: 581

• Saba Gerami
• Eric Khiu
• Vilma Mesa
• Thomas Judson

Using Balacheff’s (2013) model of conceptions we analyzed textbook examples in the linear independence section of an interactive linear algebra textbook and 61 student responses to a similar reading question. Reading questions seek to entice students to read the textbook before attending the lesson when the ideas will be discussed; the responses are immediately available to instructors. We found ten additional parts of conceptions (control structures) used independently or in combination with the ones promoted in the textbook. We discuss the implications of our findings and our plans for future research.