Understanding statistical graphs of students attending multigrade rural schools in Chile

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the graphical comprehension of 5th and 6th grade students in multigrade rural primary education in Chile. The theoretical framework considers levels of reading and semiotic levels in statistical graphs. A qualitative methodology of descriptive level is followed, using content analysis method for the responses given to a questionnaire by 22 students from five multigrade rural schools. The results show that, overall, students do not encounter difficulties in answering questions at level 1 reading (literal reading), but difficulties gradually increase as the reading level increases. Regarding semiotic levels, difficulties arise in constructing graphs using data distribution (semiotic level 3) and completing a graph with two data distributions (semiotic level 4).