Schools are facing increasing demands to prepare students for rapid economic, environmental and social changes, for jobs that have not yet been created, for technologies that have not yet been invented, and to solve social problems that have not yet been anticipated. Underpinning the E2030 project is the premise that education needs to do more…

Considers traditional ways in which attempts have been made to help students become fluent in mathematics and offers a model for ways in which fluency can be achieved with a more economic use of students' time and effort than through traditional models of exercises based on repetition. (MKR)

The author and many illustrious co-signers sent an open letter to the U.S. Department of Education protesting a report designating 10 "exemplary" or "promising" math programs. The programs over-emphasize data analysis and statistics, de-emphasize arithmetic and algebra, and advocate early calculator use, which can undermine…

Discrete mathematics and finite mathematics differ in a number of ways. First, finite mathematics has a longer history and is therefore more stable in terms of course content. Finite mathematics courses emphasize certain particular mathematical tools which are useful in solving the problems of business and the social sciences. Discrete mathematics…

This response to Usiskin's editorial comment on calculator use in the May 1983 issue considers why arithmetic is taught. The belief that mathematics improves thinking and the humanist position that it is part of our cultural heritage are noted. The role of mathematics in the curriculum should be reconsidered. (MNS)

Ideas on the long-term effects of using microcomputers in mathematics are presented. The changing perception of mathematics, the role of algorithms, the use of short computer programs, the effects on mathematical understanding, implications for teaching methods, logistic problems, examinations and assessment, and planning for the future are…

Three types of arithmetic algorithms are discussed and compared. These are algorithms designed to get the right answer, computer algorithms, and algorithms designed to get the right answer and understand why. (MP)

Some concrete examples of the use of historical materials in developing certain topics from precalculus and calculus are presented. Ideas which can be introduced with a reformulated curriculum are discussed in five areas: algorithms, combinatorics, logarithms, trigonometry, and mathematical models. (MNS)

The need for incorporating algorithmics into mathematics instruction is presented. The proliferation of computers is seen to have made the designing of algorithms an essential skill. Examples are given, and the view that mathematics will lose much prestige and importance if algorithmics is not integrated into it is presented. (MP)

Changes in the elementary and junior high school mathematics curriculum that have occurred in the last 20 years and that may occur in the future are discussed. (MK)

Raises and responds to questions about what and how to teach mathematics with the availability of calculators to all students. Discusses whether students need basic facts, mechanical skills, and knowledge of computational algorithms. Argues that students need to develop number sense and analytical skills using simple, symbolic, and graphing…

This study investigated the relationship between the level of conservation of displaced volume and the degree to which sixth graders learn the volume algorithm of a cuboid, i.e., volume = length x width x height (v = l x w x h). The problem is a consequence of an apparent discrepancy between the present school programs and the theory of Piaget…

In spite of current sentiment to the contrary, the wellsprings of mathematics are not utility and relevance, but creativity, imagination, and an appreciation of the beauty of the subject. This has implications for the teaching of mathematics. (PK)

Presents the text of a message sent to Susan Gerofsky by Robert Thomas after reading her article on a linguistic and narrative view of word problems in mathematics education. Gerofsky's response is also included. (DDR)

Discusses computer methods for finding roots of polynomials. The program provided finds rational roots and prints the roots as rational numbers. (PK)