Categories to Assess the Understanding of University Students about a Mathematical Concept.

Abstract

One of the problems in mathematics education is students¿ little understanding of mathematics both at the basic and higher educational levels, which is why we consider essential the design of adequate instruments and methods that can measure understanding about specific concepts. Objective: To assess the understanding of university students of the concept of a real function. Design: The research is qualitative as the attributes of a cognitive construct were analysed and interpreted. Setting and participants: There were 36 students of a degree in mathematics (18-20 years old) whose productions were analysed. All the students had taken the Calculus I course.