Advancement of self-regulation during complex problem solving and the development of strategical reasoning are among the central educational goals linked to 21st century skills. In this paper we introduce the notion of "Stepped Tasks", which are specially designed in Top-Down structure to achieve these goals in mathematics instruction.…

Many teachers labor to distinguish between productive and unproductive struggle; they believe that struggle is productive when it engages students in thinking and communicating metacognitively, which is when students think and communicate about their problem-solving processes, strategies, challenges, and successes. One method that helps ensure…

This study investigates secondary mathematics preservice teachers' (M-PSTs') opportunities to learn about algebra as reported by five teacher preparation programs. Ten focus group interview transcripts were analyzed using systematic grounded theory. When M-PSTs mentioned specific algebra tasks during the focus group interviews, the instructors'…

This mixed-method, longitudinal study investigated the benefits of project-based learning (PBL) on secondary-mathematics students' academic skill development and motivated strategies for learning (i.e., cognitive, social, and motivational). The focus of this study was academic skill development (algebra- and geometry-assessment scores) and other…

Over the past 2 years, almost 45% of the students attending a local suburban high school failed Algebra 2. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of a cooperative instructional technique (student teams-achievement divisions [STAD]) to traditional instructional methods on performance in high school algebra. Motivational and cognitive…

It is widely publicized that student attitudes and achievement in math in the United States require improvement. U.S. students have shown lackluster mathematics achievement scores compared to their international peers in other developed countries. As a former high school math instructor, this author observed that the attitude of many high school…

An algebra class at Navajo Community College (Shiprock, New Mexico) uses traditional algebra topics to study real-life situations, focuses on environmental issues, encourages collaborative learning, uses modern technology, and promotes development of critical thinking and decision-making skills. Students follow principles of Dine educational…

Describes the results of a study that tracked college algebra students who had previously completed an Academic Assistance mathematics course that facilitated collaborative learning. Only 53% of all students who enrolled in college algebra in fall 1994 earned grades of C or higher, but 95% of students who had previously participated in the…

Achievement in Mathematics (AIM), an algebra class at Lexington Community College, has successfully demonstrated the benefits of collaborative study. Six sections of Intermediate Algebra were taught by three instructors, each teaching one traditional section and one collaborative section. All six sections were given the same lectures, tests, and…

Discusses how a single problem can be utilized to discuss mathematical skills and concepts at several different levels. Presents a problem involving fractions examined at the following four levels according to the abilities of the students: (1) finding solutions; (2) identifying methods for finding solutions; (3) exploring similar examples; and…

This publication describes several different teaching strategies employed to enhance students' understanding of mathematics, such as working in cooperative learning groups, giving presentations based on problems that were solved, and writing about solutions that were found. This innovative approach to teaching mathematics resulted in questioning…

Small-group cooperative learning provides an alternative to both traditional whole-class expository instruction and individual instruction systems. The procedures described in this volume are realistic, practical strategies for using small groups in mathematics teaching and learning with methods applicable to all age levels, curriculum levels, and…

This document contains the fourth volume of the proceedings of the 30th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. Conference presentations are centered around the theme "Mathematics at the Centre." This volume features 59 research reports by presenters with last names beginning between Kun and…