Over twenty years ago, an article by Richard Phelps addressed the benefits of the United States (US) educational system carrying out a complete adoption of the metric system of measurement. Today we find that the US is still in the same position in teaching both measurement systems in schools, which is a financial drain. This study sought to…

The aim of this study was to examine prospective science teachers' knowledge of and difficulties with the metric unit conversion. The participants of the study were 73 prospective science teachers. In this qualitative study, a measurement test with 14 questions was administered to the participants to examine their knowledge of and difficulties…

In CSCL studies, language is often foregrounded as the primary resource for engaging in collaborative learning, while the body is more often positioned as a secondary resource. There is, however, a growing interest in the body as a resource in learning and collaboration in and outside CSCL. In this paper, we present, analyse, and discuss how two…

Vignette design has been largely neglected in anchoring vignette studies. This study aimed to contribute to the science of vignette design by developing and evaluating vignettes for measuring vision in rural China. Cognitive interviews were conducted among 36 participants in a Chinese middle school. The respondents either directly evaluated vision…

This paper reports results of a design experiment regarding young children's concepts of mass measurement. The research built on an earlier study in which a framework of "growth points" in early mathematics learning and a related, task-based, one-to-one interview to assess children's understanding of the measurement of mass…

This study examined students' accuracy of measurement estimation for linear distances, different units of measure, task context, and the relationship between accuracy estimation and logical thinking. Middle school students completed a series of tasks that included estimating the length of various objects in different contexts and completed a test…

Following a sociocultural perspective, this study investigates how students who have grown up using the SI (Systeme International d'Unites) (metric) or US customary (USC) systems of units for everyday use differ in their knowledge of scale and measurement. Student groups were similar in terms of socioeconomic status, curriculum, native language…

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the nature of metric estimation skill instruction affects prospective elementary and special education teachers' abilities to estimate metric length, area, and volume. Four types of estimation skills were identified by an estimation matrix. Three instructional strategies were selected: (1) a…

This speech was prepared for the National Conference on Metrication which was planned for April 1977 (but cancelled). In it the author observes that it is necessary to be clear about which of the several versions of the metric system is being adopted. He cites the relationship between the metric system and decimal numeration, and calls to task…

Compares results of two studies, conducted in 1971 (N=2300) and 1977 (N=1300), investigating Illinois childrens' percepts of several quantitative measures. Includes findings of improved ability in estimating intervals and quantities and in identifying ratios in conventional and metric units of measures. Establishes some relationships with ability…

The question of whether the United States' measurement system should be changed is still unresolved. This General Accounting Office (GAO) report provides information on metrication and the issues involved. The results of GAO's work is summarized in an Executive Summary. The report contains recommendations to the United States Metric Board and the…

This General Accounting Office (GAO) document is a summary of a GAO report that discusses: (1) the implications if the United States converts to the metric system of weights and measures; and (2) the conversion experiences of other countries. Topics covered include national policy, impact on industry and the public, benefits, advantages,…

Instruction of linear measurement skills to first and second graders is found to be more effective when taught in a manipulative context than in a graphic context. No differences are observed between manipulative and abstract instructional methods. (JMF)

This study was conducted to determine the extent to which a sample of 51 Fortune 1000 firms perceive that legal impediments to metric conversion exist. The seven major findings were: (1) laws and regulations are not meaningful impediments to metric conversion, but certain ones must be considered in the planning process; (2) the laws of concern are…

The primary goal of the Metric Education Project was the systematic development of a replicable educational model to facilitate the system-wide conversion to the metric system during the next five to ten years. This document is an evaluation of that project. Three sets of statistical evidence exist to support the fact that the project has been…