Does Repetition with Variation Improve Students? Mathematics Conceptual Understanding and Retention?

Western education culture viewed repetitive learning as opposite of deep learning and understanding, while Asian mathematics education considered repetition as an important route to understanding. With these conflicting views, this study was undertaken to determine the influence of repetition with variation in students achievement scores, conceptual understanding and retention. Pretest-posttest control group research design was employed.31-item teacher-made multiple choice test with open-ended questionnaire was the main instrument of the study. Results of the analysis revealed that students exposed to repetition with variation approach had significantly higher achievement, conceptual understanding and improved retention.