Uses the constructivist principle of active learning to explore the possibly essential elements in transforming a cognitive play activity into mathematical activity. Suggests that for such transformation to occur, cognitive play activity must involve operations of intelligence that, yield situations of mathematical schemes. Illustrates the…

Comments on the Fractions Project presented in this same issue. Discusses two major ideas: the construction of mathematics of children and its basis and playful actions as a basis for mathematical actions. Highlights the understanding of children's mathematical concepts and schemes as they grow and are organized in the context of computer…

Comments on the Fraction Project presented in this same issue. Examines the choice of appropriate perspectives on the phenomena induced and observed and the generalizability of the results. Investigates the phenomena as involving student attunement to constraints built into the computer-based learning environments and in terms of explicit…

Comments on the Fraction Project presented in this same issue. Suggests that it has uncovered many implications for instruction. However, there are limitations as the proposed setting is restricted by the present school circumstances. Concludes that better learning will not come from finding better ways for teachers to instruct but from giving the…

Discussion of differences in elementary and secondary school mathematics instruction between the United States and The Netherlands focuses on a Dutch project brought to the United States that uses print materials and software products. Topics addressed include integrating technology into the curriculum; cultural differences; designing assessment;…

Discusses factors that might influence the effectiveness of computer software designed to teach problem solving. Topics discussed include the structure of knowledge; transfer of training; computers and problem solving instruction; human-computer interactions; and types of software, including drill and practice programs, tutorials, instructional…

Discusses knowledge base development as a pedagogical activity and describes a study of eighth graders that compared three instructional conditions: (1) expert system development work; (2) problem-solving activities using computer-assisted instruction; and (3) a control group that used traditional noncomputer methods. Pretest and posttest scores…

Discusses the use of technology and the Internet in society and especially in our schools. Highlights include technology as a tool to help achieve educational goals; helping students use computers proficiently; technology and computer literacy; integrating computer skills within the Big6 information problem-solving process; and teaching integrated…

Investigates the effects of computer-assisted video-based anchored instruction on promoting students' attitudes toward mathematical instruction and problem-solving skills. Examines the effects of different media attributes on students' mathematical achievement and attitudes in a situated learning environment. Findings suggest that anchored…

Describes a study of three parts: (1) the application of a statistical technique for predicting performance; (2) a computer program for teaching basic problem-solving skills; and (3) evidence for the value of teaching with complex homework problems in an introductory physics course required for engineering majors. (Contains 42 references.)…

This article describes a web-based application designed to provide meaningful access to the study of Computer Science to speakers of an African language who have limited experience of using English for academic purposes. Our research is focused upon students of Computer Skills in the Extended Studies Programme at Rhodes University who have studied…

T-algebra is a project for creating an interactive learning environment for expression manipulation tasks of elementary algebra. Our main didactical principle has been that all the necessary decisions and calculations at each solution step should be made by the student, and the program should be able to understand the mistakes. This paper…

Now in a substantially revised and updated second edition, this comprehensive professional resource and text is based on cutting-edge research. In each chapter, leading scholars provide an overview of a particular aspect of comprehension, offer best-practice instructional guidelines and policy recommendations, present key research questions still…

Researchers from BBN Laboratories and Lesley College (Massachusetts) have begun exploratory studies to build an understanding of the learning that occurs when middle school students interact with science-based simulations. Sixty hours of discussion among eight middle school students were videotaped as they used the simulations from the…

In Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILE), students use a computer-database system as a tool to store and organize their curriculum-related knowledge as a means of sharing information and thoughts with peers, supporting both individual and collaborative learning. This study contrasts two conditions: face-to-face collaboration…