Presentation Schedule
Development and Validation of an APOS-Based Mathematics Mental Structure Scale (96496)
Session Chair: Evangelos Liaras
Sunday, 8 February 2026 10:50
Session: Session 1
Room: Opal 101 (Level 1)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
APOS theory emerges as an extension of constructivism, but it takes a more robust and targeted learner-centered approach to mathematics instruction. As a basic mathematics requirement, necessary problem-solving skills and the development of mathematical mental structures are important. By aligning the scale’s statements with the APOS theory, this study aims to bridge the gap between students' prior mathematics learning and their current educational needs. Therefore, given the critical need for a proper tool to measure the mathematical mental structure of students at the study's locale and mathematics education at large, this study provided a valuable scale. The scale development followed the process: (1) item generation, (2) item evaluation, (3) pilot testing, (4) exploratory analysis, and (5) final evaluation. Several studies and literature have been reviewed to generate the 62 items or statements for the scale. The items are evaluated, and only 54 of them are used for the draft scale for the pilot test. The scale was administered to 225 students for the try-outs, and responses were cleaned and then subjected to Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). One factor was extracted. To establish internal consistency, the factor was correlated with other established constructs—motivation levels with the scale being substantially correlated (r=0.165, p<0.000) and mathematics self-efficacy and anxiety with the scale having predictive validity (β=0.207, p<0.000, R²=0.100). Further EFA was done, and the final scale consists of 40 items. The overall reliability coefficient of the scale is α=0.948. The resulting scale is considered valid and reliable.
Authors:
Ella Tricia Aquino, Saint Mary's University, Philippines
Dominga Valtoribio, Saint Mary's University, Philippines
About the Presenter(s)
Ms Ella Tricia Aquino is currently at Saint Mary's University in Philippines
See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule
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