Word problem structure and its effect on the transfer of learning to solve algebra word problems

A problem in learning to solve mathematics word problems students have been facing is to transfer the learned problem-solving knowledge from one story context to another story context. Some studies have provided evidence showing that structure facilitates transfer of learning to solve word problems. However, it is still under development for what algebra word problem structures students can recognize and what kinds of structures are effective for what kinds of algebra word problems regarding transfer of learning. In this dissertation, I explored the following three questions: (1) "What are the structures that students can recognize in the domain of algebra word problem?" (2) "What are the difficulties students will encounter when trying to find structures of algebra word problems?" and (3) "Are particular structures helpful in teaching for transfer of learning to solve algebra word problems?" Sixty-one college students participated in a 2-hour controlled experiment and 10-minute one-to-one interview. The results showed several word problem structures students recognized or created, and multiple levels of difficulties students encountered when trying to structure algebra word problems. The results also showed that students who received structure-based instruction had better performance in some types of transfer of learning to solve algebra word problems.