Evaluating the Efficacy of an Integrative Instructional Framework in Mathematics Education for Students
This study investigates an integrative instructional model combining Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA), Task Analysis (TA), and the 3R strategies (rel.
- Pub. date: March 15, 2025
- Online Pub. date: March 12, 2025
- Pages: 51-64
- 21 Downloads
- 54 Views
- 0 Citations
- #Concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA)
- # ethnographic approach
- # learning disabilities
- # mathematics education
- # participatory observation.
This study investigates an integrative instructional model combining Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA), Task Analysis (TA), and the 3R strategies (relaxation, repetition, and routine) in teaching mathematics to students with learning disabilities (LD). LD is a neurological disorder that affects the capacity to acquire skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, presenting persistent challenges that traditional teaching approaches may not fully address. Through an ethnographic approach involving participatory observation of a teacher and three LD students over a semester, this study examines how the CPA model—progressing from concrete objects to pictorial aids and then to abstract concepts—can be customised to individual needs. Findings highlight that CPA is most effective when adapted to the diverse learning styles of LD students. While one student thrives with tactile tools to reinforce understanding, another becomes distracted, viewing the concrete aids as play items, and a third displays a preference for abstract reasoning without needing pictorial or tangible support. The TA framework, used to deconstruct complex tasks, enables students to engage in incremental learning steps, while the 3R approach helps foster a supportive learning environment by incorporating relaxation, routine, and reinforcement of concepts. By accommodating individual learning preferences, teachers can support diverse cognitive processes and promote meaningful progress in mathematical understanding. The study calls for educators to move beyond conventional one-size-fits-all strategies, advocating for personalised and adaptive approaches that can better meet the unique needs of LD students in mathematics education.
concrete pictorial abstract cpa ethnographic approach learning disabilities mathematics education participatory observation
Keywords: Concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA), ethnographic approach, learning disabilities, mathematics education, participatory observation.
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