Is Repeated Testing of Declarative Knowledge in Mathematics Moderated by Feedback?

Abstract

This study set out to examine the effects of repeated testing of students’ declarative knowledge in mathematics in grade 7 (13-14 years old) and to what extent feedback moderates the effect of continually testing students’ declarative knowledge. Students who have automated the 400 basic arithmetical combinations (200 addition combinations and 200 subtraction combinations) have gained declarative knowledge. Mastering these combinations gives students an advantage where doing various calculations and performing different mathematical procedures are concerned (Dowker, 2012). If a student has automated the basic combinations, their attention will not be diverted from the procedure when solving calculation tasks, and there is thereby less risk of incorrect answers (Dowker, 2012). Previous studies have also shown that declarative knowledge in mathematics predict future results in more advanced mathematics (Hassel Bring, Goin, & Bransford, 1988; Gersten, Jordan, & Flojo, 2005; Rathmell & Gabriele, 2011).