ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses some of the advanced computational models students typically meet in their first few years of secondary school. We focus specifically on the topics of algebra and proportional reasoning, given that these domains comprise a significant component of the curriculum and present unique difficulties for students. We begin our discussion on algebra by analyzing the complexity of the domain and the sources of students’ difficulties here. We then consider some ways in which we might promote students’ algebraic understanding. We conclude the section on algebra by examining students’ mental models of algebraic word problems.
