Preschoolers made numerical comparisons between sets with varying degrees of shared surface similarity. When surface similarity was pitted against numerical equivalence (i.e., crossmapping), children made fewer number matches than when surface similarity was neutral (i.e, all sets contained the same objects). Only children who understood the…

Concept image and concept definition is an important construct in mathematics education. Its use, however, has been limited to cognitive studies. This article revisits concept image in the context of research on undergraduate students' understanding of the derivative which regards the context of learning as paramount. The literature, mainly on…

The ability of students in grades 1-12 to generate proofs of theorems in an unfamiliar, one axiom, abstract system was investigated. There were no significant differences in performance of two levels of secondary students; fourth- through sixth-grade students were also able to develop proofs, but needed more time. (SD)

In this study Piaget's method of the clinical interview was used to examine children's understanding of rotation about apoint at three age levels (6, 7, and 8). In two half-hour sessions, subjects (N = 108) were given four tasks: (1) an adaptation of Piaget's locus and circular motion experiment, and tasks concerned with (2) the circle as a locus…

The research contained in this report is directed at the problem of assessing structures of knowledge in science. Toward this end graduate as well as undergraduate students were asked to make judgments of the perceived similarity of expressions that mark or label concepts in the subject matter of physics. An apriori model of the structure of…

This essay discusses the sketching and transformation of parabolas and other curves as areas where learners can exercise and develop control of their mental imagery. (MN)

Development of geometric congruence and motion was studied through tasks that tapped transformational imagery, correspondence matching, measurement operations, and transformation combinations. Results showed even the youngest children studied could generate strategies for verifying congruence. The dominant strategy in younger children was edge…

This study investigated middle school children's ability to form a mental image of a planar figure and to: (1) mentally flip, turn, or slide this representation and then construct the resultant image in correct position ("performing individual motions"), (2) perform two such motions in succession ("composition of motions"), (3) perform the process…

Children aged four through eight performed a series of tasks involving two-dimensional isometrics to determine the amount of compatability between a mathematically-based organization of Euclidean transformation concepts and the existing cognitive structures of the children. Results confirmed that mathematical and cognitive structures are not…

This study investigated the ability of middle school children to perform Euclidean transformations mentally. The results indicated that the tasks were more difficult than Piagetian theory would indicate. (SD)

These 14 research reports are grouped into three broad categories based on the Piagetian level concerned. The articles concerning preoperational concepts focus on problems such as: (1) finding an appropriate mathematical description of some of the primitive mathematical concepts; (2) the role of "activities" in early concept acquisition;…

Explores the rationale behind the importance of teaching young secondary school students how to look for correlation patterns. Describes two lessons that show how pupils can experience zero, positive, and negative correlation patterns between variables. Indicates the possible success of the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education project.…

Twelve middle school students, working in pairs, used a computer microworld to explore introductory geometric transformational concepts. Despite a tendency for symbolic overgeneralization, the students were able to use visual feedback from the microworld and discussions with partners to correct their own mistakes. (Author/JJK)

Three teaching experiments are reported which study aspects of a diagnostic teaching methodology. An experiment in the field of directional quantities showed a positive relationship between the intensity of discussion and amount of learning; one on fractions and another on geometric reflections showed good two-month retention under the…