Describes a study investigating the combined effect of certain variables on student achievement in classical mechanics. The purpose was to (1) describe preinstructional knowledge and skills; (2) correlate these variables with the student's success in learning classical mechanics; and (3) develop hypothesis about relationships between these…

Studied the relationship between gender and mathematical problem solving in 83 male and 76 female high achieving Canadian 12-year-olds. Gender differences were found on the Canadian Test of Basic Skills but not on the GAUSS assessment. Implications for the discussion of the origin of gender differences in mathematics are discussed. (SLD)

Describes a study of young children's thinking about numbers and operations with numbers. Issues explored include how young students interpret mathematical questions, aspects having to do with the language of mathematics, the mathematical potential of some children, and the range of procedures that children use when solving problems. Stresses…

Discusses the similarities in learning outcomes from two very different environments: a research group and a problem-solving course. Provides examples that characterize the two environments and that point to similarities in outcomes. Speculates about why such similarities exist. (DDR)

A teaching experiment involving 30 third graders investigated the transformation of their concepts of numbers. Observations of their notations and problem-solving procedures show development that progresses from a focus on states to a type of reasoning in which changes become quantifiable "objects of awareness." (SLD)

Tested the effects of prior knowledge and two instructional models--structured problem solving and guided generation (GG)--on mathematical problem solving and transfer to an analogous task. Data on students with high and low prior knowledge highlighted significant main effects for prior knowledge, significant differences on transfer to analogous…

Shows the potential of using interactive geometry software to produce a natural environment for formulating and pursuing questions that arise in the course of solving problems. (KHR)

Explores the challenge of providing all future citizens with an appropriate quantitative literacy by means of teaching mathematics through useful applications with local and global perspectives. (Author/KHR)

Discusses difficulties students with hearing impairments have in math computation and in solving problems with verbal cues. Programs and texts are described that teach math visually and kinesthetically and encourage students to find different approaches to the same problem. An illustration of a mathematical concept is included. (CR)

A recent survey questions whether mathematics teachers in Arizona view math content as dynamic or process-oriented. Less than half used state curriculum guidelines, and few reported knowledge of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' emphases on mathematical processes related to problem solving or reasoning. Teachers seem unaware of their…

Examines Italian high school student beliefs about mathematics and mathematical problem solving by exploring the use of a 36-item self report questionnaire. Reports that a substantial replication of the instruments, with exception of one scale, was not reliable. Finds that the four scales predicted achievement in mathematics to different extents.…

This article presents results of a meta-analysis of 58 studies of mathematics intervention for elementary students with special needs. Studies in preparatory mathematics, basic skills, and problem solving were reviewed. Duration and method of instruction proved important. Direct instruction and self-instruction were more effective than mediated…

Reviews the types of math problems grade 7 and grade 9 students attempted in class, at home, and on examinations collected during the 1999-2000 school year. Indicates that students were exposed to a variety of problem types, but the level of contextualization was low as was the level of open-endedness of the questions. (Author/KHR)

This paper discusses the "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards" (produced by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) that are of particular relevance to mildly handicapped children. Concepts discussed include curriculum and instruction, need for a broad spectrum of mathematics, problem solving, vocabulary, emphasis on understanding, and…

Suggested that strategy choices for solving addition problems were related to numerical and spatial ability domains, while the speed of executing the component process of fact retrieval was related to arithmetic ability only. Findings supported the convergent validity of the strategy choice model and its discriminant validity. (RH)