Few students (particularly few girls) currently choose to take their Final School Examination (FSE) in advanced mathematics, chemistry and physics, a combination of subjects that is the best preparation for a science-oriented study in higher education. Are these subjects attainable by more students than is currently the case? This study examined…

Differences in the perception of the difficulty level of integrating specific educational objectives into Mathematics teaching between beginner and experienced secondary school Mathematics teachers was examined. One hundred and seventeen Mathematics teachers from State Secondary Schools in Anambra, Nigeria were included in the investigation. A…

Parabolic shapes are easy to find. Many homes outside the cable area have parabolic antennas to receive television transmissions from a satellite far out in space. Parabolic extrusions are used as reflectors behind fluorescent tubes and solar heated water pipes. Parabolic reflectors are used to build solar ovens, searchlights and radio telescopes.…

As of 2008, approximately 40% of eighth grade students in the United States enroll in Algebra I (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2008). Although research has shown that students have more opportunities to take advanced mathematics courses by taking eighth grade Algebra I, in the United States, approximately only one-third to one-half…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the formal mathematics educational training of elementary grade teachers as well as their perceived levels of self-efficacy regarding the Georgia Performance Standards for mathematics. This study investigated 129 first through fifth grade teachers in Northeast Georgia. The researcher administered a…

This study investigated the geometric cognitive growth of pre-service mathematics teachers in terms of the Van Hiele levels in a technology-enriched environment, as opposed to that of students in a learning environment without any technological enhancements. In order to investigate this, a quasi-experimental non-equivalent comparison group design…

While many of the concepts and approaches that comprise student-centered learning have deep roots in learning theory, the cognitive sciences, and youth and child development, empirical research on student-centered learning's impact in K-12 classrooms remains limited. This report offers highlights from three studies commissioned by Nellie Mae,…

Despite several decades of research in psychology and mathematics education pointing to the importance of learning mathematics with understanding, other research on teachers' instructional practice in mathematics classrooms has found a remarkably consistent characterization of mathematics teaching in the United States as generally doing little to…

The researcher's purpose in the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an Accelerated Mathematics Program (AMPS) for sixth and seventh grades, using the accelerative practice of curriculum telescoping in a rural school district in North Carolina. The mathematics achievement of students served in the locally developed Accelerated Mathematics…

Ratio (and associated topics such as fractions and proportion) is known to be an area of mathematics that students find difficult. Multiplicative thinking is necessary, and students benefit from a wide range of strategies and representations for interpreting ratio. This study examined aspects of teachers' pedagogical content knowledge for teaching…

This book examines the five key elements (meaningful use of symbols, mindful manipulation, reasoned solving, connection algebra with geometry, and linking expressions and functions) identified in "Focus in High School Mathematics: Reasoning and Sense Making" in more detail and elaborates on the associated reasoning habits. This volume is one of a…

This paper discusses mathematics curriculum development throughout the past century and incorporates a discussion of appropriate leadership style needed to bring about effective change. School leaders must be cognizant of the commitment and competence of the faculty within their school for successful curriculum development to take place.…

By examining how people learn, the educational theories of Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky and Bruner can be synthesized to give this set of core Constructivist principles. Principles of effective mathematics teaching: (1) allows learning that is "active" and "reflective". Students are required to transfer key concepts to new situations; (2) allows…

The aim of this study is to identify the effects of formalism in teaching on primary and secondary school mathematics teacher trainees' algebraic and geometric interpretations of the notions of linear dependency/independency. Quantitative research methods are drawn in order to determine differences in success levels between algebraic and geometric…

In the present study, I examine a modelling strategy as employed by a teacher in the context of an algebra lesson. The actions of this teacher suggest that a modelling approach will have a greater impact on enriching student learning if we do not lose sight of the need to manage associated cognitive loads that could either aid or hinder the…