Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 November 2016
A series of investigations is being planned by a section of the Board of Studies for Mathematics in the Institute of Education of the University of Birmingham, with the object of gaining information about the types of difficulty experienced by children in various branches of grammar school mathematics, and the types of error made. An analysis of these errors, both from the mathematical and psychological points of view, is highly informative and relevant to a discussion of teaching methods in the subject. It is hoped that later it will be possible to prepare standardised tests which would be of diagnostic value to teachers. The co-operation of other teachers would be welcomed in furthering this investigation, either in the form of comments or criticisms in the light of their own experience, or in helping to widen the sample of children tested in future work.
The members of the Board of Studies responsible for the work were Mrs. N. M. Barnett, Mr. E. C. Cull, Mr. W O. Storer and Dr. G. E. R. Burroughs. The bulk of the analysis was carried out by Mrs. Barnett and Mr. Storer; Mr. Storer was also responsible for the final collation and the writing of the present report.
† We take this opportunity of thanking the Head Teachers and Assistant Teachers at the schools concerned, for their kindness in permitting us to use some of their forms for this purpose, and for their interest and co-operation in the administration of the test.