The Literature Review of Algebra Learning: Focusing on the Contributions to Students’ Difficulties

Abstract

This paper reviews the research literature with respect to the contributions to the students' diffi-culties in their algebra learning in order to understand the students' difficulties in algebra learn-ing. To start with, 29 articles selected from the database (ERIC) are categorized into a taxonomy which has been generated from the research literature, which falls into five categories including: algebra content, cognitive gap, teaching issues, learning matters, and transition knowledge. The challenges that students confront with under those categories are unpacked in the review process. In addition, the five categories adopted in this paper could serve as a framework of better under-standing students' difficulties in their algebra learning. Finally, the research gap from the litera-ture review is discussed.