Remedial/developmental and introductory university mathematics courses have a long history of high attrition rates. Recently, university administration and mathematics departments have been considering technological solutions, and one such solution is computer-adaptive-instruction (CAI). In fact, CAI has been touted as a "silver bullet"…

This dissertation study aims to understand the instructional interactions that foster students' generalizing. By analyzing video recorded lessons from 13 different Grade 3 classrooms in which an early algebra intervention is being implemented, activities related to generalizing and students' generalizing activities were identified, and the nature…

Algebra is often described as the gateway to higher mathematics (Carpenter, Franke, & Levi, 2003; Kaput, 2008; Kaput & Blanton, 2001; Mason, 2008). Unfortunately, many students do not navigate this gateway successfully. Kaput (2008) and Mason (2008) suggested that this is due in part to the abrupt switch from arithmetic to algebra that…

Teachers are continually confronted with meeting the needs of all students and preparing them to be successful on state end-of-course assessments while changing or evolving to be more of a facilitator of student-centered. Lessons are to be relevant for the students, engaging them so they are active participants in their learning. However, many…