Presents a teaching model as an activity to introduce preservice secondary mathematics teachers to the law of cosines. The activity is student-centered in which students construct figures; measure angles and segments; calculate areas; investigate relationships; and communicate their results. (MDH)

Presented are classroom-tested examples of instructional materials (courseware) for ordinary differential equations using the software package PHASER. All of the examples include in-class demonstration techniques and commentaries for instructor use, student homework and laboratory exercises, and suggestions for in-class examination questions. (JJK)

This research study provides evidence indicating that students who receive appropriately chosen computer software tutorials as homework assignments attain higher achievement results than do those students who receive the traditional paper-and-pencil exercises as homework assignments. (JJK)

Discusses four models of staff development for cooperative learning in mathematics: graduate seminar with weekly meetings; workshop enhanced by support systems and followup; school-based staff development with monthly meetings; and projects involving collaboration between university and school district personnel. The article lists 10 important…

Considered are several mathematical models that can be used to study different waiting situations. Problems involving waiting at a red light, bank, restaurant, and supermarket are discussed. A computer program which may be used with these problems is provided. (CW)

Presented are three ideas for teaching mathematical concepts including "The Gymnasium- A Dynamic Classroom for Teaching Slope,""The Graphics Calculator: A Helpful Tool," and "The Point-Slope Equation Revisited." (CW)

Presents three curriculum boosting activities for elementary classes. A social studies activity builds bridges to other cultures via literature. A math activity teaches students about percentages using baseball card statistics. A language arts activity helps students learn to appreciate the language of Shakespeare. A student page presents a…

Demonstrates how to construct rational, exponential, and sinusoidal functions that appear normal on one scale but exhibit interesting hidden behavior when viewed on another scale. By exploring these examples, students learn the importance of scale, window size, and resolution effects in computer and calculator graphing. (MAZ)

Stresses using the features of graphing calculators to teach parametric equations much earlier in the curriculum than is presently done. Examples using parametric equations to teach slopes and lines in beginning algebra, inverse functions in advanced algebra, the wrapping function, and simulations of physical phenomena are presented. (MAZ)

K-3 teachers participated in a project to align teaching, learning, and assessment with the NCTM Standards. Goals included developing assessment models and helping clarify the link between assessment and teaching. Assessment criteria were based on student performance rather than correct answers. Cooperative learning and support structures were…

A mathematical model is used to represent a physical problem. The resulting polynomial is graphed and analyzed. Students are asked to plot families of related polynomial functions and observe patterns. A partial list of possible observations is included. End behavior, complete graph, and classroom use of technology are discussed. (GW)

Presents an argument for using dot paper rather than geoboards at postelementary levels to study perimeter, area, congruence, similarity, and other geometric ideas. Emphasizes need for students to be active learners. (GW)

Compared students who had four years of the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) secondary curriculum to two distinct groups of comparable students at three different sites (one urban and two suburban). UCSMP students at all three sites achieved higher but registered little difference in attitude. (Contains 48 references.) (MDH)

Results of a study of three classes of preservice teachers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis that taught three different methods of teaching rational-number concepts demonstrate the superiority of an approach using manipulatives. Both teacher understanding and ability to teach to elementary school students in field experience programs were…

Reviews computer software programs that focus on mathematics skills for students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as a mathematics activity book that includes a computer software disc for young children. (BB)