الحس الرمزي لدى طلبة المرحلة الجامعية الأولى
The aim of this study was to investigate the aspects of symbol sense and algebraic variable explanation using qualitative approach. A sample of (110) undergraduate students, specialized in mathematics participated in this study. To achieve the aim of the study, a symbol sense test and algebraic problems that asked for explaining and using algebraic variable, in addition to reflective interviews with audio recording were used to collect data from (20) volunteer students from the original sample. Moreover, a symbol sense evidences framework and 3UV model were used to analyze the responses of students. The results revealed a number of symbol sense aspects among the undergraduate students, in the formulation of the problems, in the algebraic expectations of the solution and in the ability to link representations in the solution, while the aspects in checking the solution were rare. The common aspects of symbol sense among students were: recognition when symbols can be used, the ability to choose symbolic representations, recognition of the meanings of algebraic symbols, knowing the order of operations and its properties and identifying the form of the problem and linking it with the type of the solution. In the opposite, a number of the aspects of symbol sense were not productive and incorrect. In regard of the explanations that were produced by the students in solving algebraic variable problems, the results showed that the mathematics undergraduate students faced no problems in explaining and using the variable as unknown, while they faced difficulties when explaining and using the variable as a generalized number and as a functional relationship, especially the latter. Regarding the results of the study, priority should be given to the algebraic skills and symbol sense behaviors, where both should be integrated in teaching and learning algebra. (Author’s abstract)