Against the background of an adaptation of Cognitive Load Theory to learner-controlled settings we investigated the impact of learner characteristics on information utilization strategies, cognitive load, and learning outcomes in a hypermedia environment. Based on the data of 79 students, five clusters of students were identified according to…

Classroom video excerpts are often used to help preservice and practicing teachers explore students' mathematical ideas. This article describes several types of video clips that the authors have found to be particularly productive for this purpose. The authors also discuss three dimensions that can be used to characterize the student thinking…

Students better understand problem solving when the basis for the problems are real-life situations. This book, geared for grades 4-8, offers multi-step, real-life problems to encourage students to think flexibly, creatively, and analytically about problem solving. It includes ideas for setting up a problem-solving classroom and assessment…

Many mainstreamed students with limited English proficiency continue to face the difficulty of learning English as a second language (ESL) while studying mathematics and other content areas framed in the language of native speakers. The difficulty these students often encounter in mathematics classes and their poor performance on subsequent…

This document contains the proceedings of the China-Japan-U.S. Seminar on Mathematical Education that was held in 1993 in China. The focus of the Seminar was problem solving in mathematics education. The main purposes of the seminar were: to examine the present states of problem solving in school mathematics in China, Japan, and the U.S.; to…

Although it takes only 2 years to attain conversational competence in a second language, it takes up to 7 years to realize sufficient language competence to achieve academically at the level of native speakers. Specific adaptations in instructional methods in mathematics for language minority students should include techniques from English as a…

This book presents a numerical problem-solving environment for middle grade students using the computerized spreadsheet. It offers a package of spreadsheet models and suggested activities that promote student thinking with numbers. (ASK)

This paper discusses an experiment designed to determine the effects of a problem-solving approach to instruction (PSAI) on eighth grade Algebra I students. Comparisons were made of the scores from the 1991 and 1993 Subject Area Testing Program--Algebra I of skills taught via PSAI and skills taught traditionally. In 1991 (n=56) eighth grade…

This study examined achievement differences between algebra students taught with the non-traditional textbook developed by Saxon and those taught with a "traditional" textbook by Dolciani. Student absences, rate of turning in homework, and ability level were considered, as well as teachers' comments. One Algebra I section in each of…

This book is directed toward increasing students' ability to analyze problems and comprehend what they read and hear. It outlines and illustrates the methods that good problem solvers use in attacking complex ideas, and provides practice in applying these methods to a variety of questions involving comprehension and reasoning. Chapter I includes a…

Describes an attempt to promote both mathematical and nonmathematical problem solving. Suggests that the goals for the average mathematics course need revision, in practice, or additional courses introduced, which will develop thinking ability as a primary objective. (EB)

The focus of this activities book is on using calculators to solve problems, as a way of promoting better comprehension in mathematics in the intermediate grades. Problems of various types are presented, ranging from those based on everyday life such as shopping, schedules, meal planning, and sports, to those involving imaginary ideas.…

The chapters in this book were written by teachers to share strategies they have found effective in the mathematics classroom. Most describe a teaching idea or activity in sufficient detail for other teachers in elementary, middle, and secondary schools to be able to use it. The chapters concern: manipulative materials, developing a mathematics…

The problem of sex bias in mathematics word problems is discussed, with references to the appropriate literature. Word problems are assessed via cognitive science analysis of word problem solving. It has been suggested that five basic semantic relations are adequate to classify nearly all story problems, namely, change, combine, compare, vary, and…