Learning scales represented in graphics: an intervention study

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the influence of an educational intervention with scales represented in bar charts and lines, with 69 primary school 5th grade students (10 years old) with three types of activities that explored the scale concept : length measures (MC), number of lines (RN) and maps (MP). During the intervention, we sought to generate discussion about the unity of the scale and the existing proportionality within. The results revealed that after only two intervention sessions, the students in all groups had a significant advancement. Although the activities required different contexts, a particular type of solution strategy for each one was not found. Thus, it would be safe to affirm that if students are to become critical readers and producers of information in graphics, they will need to be given a systematic work in schools.