In the Symbol Decision Task - Math app, participants judge whether combinations of mathematical symbols are “readable”, that is done they follow the conventions of mathematical text. The task begins with 3 word-based practice trials to ensure the participant understands what is meant by “readable”. There are two versions of the task; the standard version (Headley, 2016) and the children version which is designed for children in grades 2 through 4. In each version, the participant first observes a focal point (*) at the center of the screen (500ms) followed by the mathematical symbol stimulus (1500ms adult version, 3000ms child version). Participants are instructed to quickly press the green check mark if the stimulus is “readable” or press the red X if the stimulus is “non-readable”. There is an equal number of randomly presented conventional and non-conventional stimuli (30 of each in the standard version and 22 of each in the child version).
To create testing stimuli, please download the sample trial folder for the standard version from the support page. Use the iTunes file sharing function to copy the trial folder to the app. If the user needs to create new trials please use the same naming structure and same image resolution as the sample trial images.
Headley, M. G. (2016). What is symbolic mathematics language literacy? A multilevel mixed methods study of adolescents in a middle school (Order No. 10308492). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. (1865328066). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1865328066?accountid=10457