Last year, the author worked with a group of Key Stage 3 (KS3) consultants at a regional roadshow devoted to the topic of information and communications technology (ICT), "Embedding ICT in mathematics teaching." The roadshow was organized by the Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM) and the Mathematical Association (MA), and the…

This article describes the work of outreach mathematicians introducing the topic of complex variables to eighth and ninth grade students (13- to 15-year-olds) in the US. Complex variables is an area of mathematics that is not typically studied at secondary level. The authors developed seven lessons designed to stimulate students' interest in…

This article describes a recent and successful initiative on teaching place value and the decomposition method of subtraction to pupils having difficulty with this technique in the 9-12-year age range. The aim of the research was to explore whether using the metaphor of selling chews (i.e., sweets) in a tuck shop and developing this into an iconic…

Different computational tools may offer teachers and students distinct opportunities in representing, exploring and solving mathematical tasks. In this context, we illustrate that the use of dynamic software (Cabri Geometry) helped high school teachers to think of and represent a particular task dynamically. In this process, the teachers had the…

The use of programs on the topic of dinosaurs in interdisciplinary exercises which may include mathematics, science, history, and language arts is described. Reviews of 16 different computer programs are included. Possible misconceptions and how they are dealt with in various programs are discussed. (CW)

Discusses a software package that allows the user to solve mathematical problems, analyze data, plot graphs, and to examine mathematical models. Presents the attributes of the program and the available mathematical functions. Provides an example of pH calculations. (MVL)

Presents five computer programs: (1) Accurate Numerical Solutions of the One-Dimensional Schrodinger Equation; (2) NMR Simulation and Interactive Drill/Interpretation; (3) A Simple Computer Program for the Calculation of 13C-NMR Chemical Shifts; (4) Constants of 1:1 Complexes from NMR or Spectrophotometric Measurements; and (5) Saturation…

Describes the design of a tutorial lesson, the benefits of such a lesson, and the drawbacks of such a method. Suggestions for word processing teachers are listed, including requiring students to write their own "operating manual" and using tutorials as an introduction to word processing functions. (CT)

Describes four game programs--Silly Sentence, Spell-It, Scrambled Word, and Guess the Word--designed to introduce elementary school students with no prior programing experience to key concepts of programing with BASIC. Several immediate learning outcomes that became evident while observing students at work with the programs are also discussed.…

Suggestions are provided on diskette care, software worth seeing, teaching that computers can't do everything, and a debugging activity. (MNS)

A one-month graduate course on time series analysis is offered in the department of chemical engineering at the University of Queensland (Australia). Describes the course, which is based on an interactive graphics time series identification and modelling computer package (TSIM). Also describes time-series analysis procedure and the TSIM package.…

The microcomputer can be a helpful tool for teaching the basics of historical research. Database management systems are described, strengths and weaknesses of one software package (dBaseII) for historical research are discussed, and a conceptual and practical guide for teaching historical research methods with dBaseII is provided. (RM)

Discusses some aspects of computer-assisted instruction, particularly in computer-aided language learning. Argues that computers will continue to provide enough resources for varied language teaching but that they will be useless in language instruction unless lessons are created that bring the computer and the teacher into close educational…

For some time now, the open-source (OS) phenomenon has been making its presence felt; disrupting the economics of the software industry and, by proxy, the business of education. A combination of the financial pressure Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) find themselves under and the increasing focus on the use of technology to enhance students'…

Provides a guide for the development of educational computer programs for use on microcomputers. Making use of the features of microcomputers, including visual, audio, and tactile techniques, is encouraged. (Author/IRT)