Students from six fourth-grade classes were paired and randomly assigned to computer or worksheet treatments on multiplication and division. Those using computer-based drill-and-practice programs made greater gains on some tests of basic facts, but had no higher retention of algorithms. (MNS)

The concept of multiplication is described and illustrated using several different representational systems. A conceptual approach to teaching mathematics is compared with the procedural approach commonly found in the school curriculum. Four different methods of representing the multiplication process with numbers larger than ten are presented:…