Discusses a method of teaching the multiplication of integers to eighth-grade students that utilizes videotape recordings to represent positive and negative rates. Videotapes of students walking forward and backward in the play and rewind modes illustrate that the product of two negatives is positive. (MDH)

Examines operations of generalization, identification, discrimination, and synthesis in mathematical concept development from early childhood to late adolescence according to Vygotsky's theory of development. (MDH)

Project INSITE is an on-going program in the use of computers and on-line searching, electronic mail, and CD-ROM technologies to facilitate the acquisition and exchange of information among science teachers, students, school districts, and the scientific and higher education communities. (Author/PR)

A study (n=510) investigated students' cognitive and noncognitive variables predicting success and persistence in an undergraduate engineering program. Students performing well in science and mathematics and genuinely interested in engineering were more likely to persist and succeed. Predictor variables changed over the students' first two years.…

After a year of instruction, 70 kindergarten children were individually interviewed as they solved basic, multistep, and nonroutine word problems. Thirty-two used a valid strategy for all 9 problems, and 44 correctly answered 7 or more problems. Modeling provided a unifying framework for thinking about problem solving. (Author/MDH)

Contends that a large segment of our nation's population is underserved in mathematics and science education. Some teaching strategies suggested to increase mathematics and scientific literacy among all students include making wrongs right; vary learning and allow group work; overcome language barriers with math and science; and respect different…

Describes the effort of a middle-school teacher to incorporate heterogeneous grouping into her math class. One day per week, heterogeneously grouped math students worked in teams to solve and present solutions to different kinds of logic problems. Suggests that flexibility and freedom to be creative are the keys for incorporating new ideas into…

The effects of personal and teaching efficacy on teachers' use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) and on student achievement were studied. Nineteen special education teachers each monitored 2 elementary school students with mild disabilities over 16 weeks in math computation using CBM. Teachers with high personal and teaching efficacy more…

Reports on a study of 70 secondary female students in mathematics classes over a period of 7 weeks. Finds that self-efficacy was the best predictor of learning intentions. Recommends further research on the relationships between perceived learning environment, self-efficacy, and learning intentions. (CFR)

Presents an interview with Dr. Constance Kamii on mathematics education. Based on her beliefs about the constructivist approach to elementary arithmetic, she advocates: reformulating goals and objectives, reconceptualizing the teacher role, de-emphasizing competition, eliminating workbooks, and relying instead on a curriculum made up predominately…

Presents an approach to geometry that integrates mathematics and language teaching. Suggests that mathematics is more than manipulation of numbers: it is a way of thinking about things. Argues that mathematics and language should be united especially to achieve the goal of promoting the development of analytical thinkers, as the ability to see…

Discusses how nonparametric statistical procedures can be applied to the scoring of cross-country running races. Asserts that this type of example in statistics is appropriate for the upper-secondary school and lower-division college levels. (MDH)

"Gedankensimulation" is a term adapted from Einstein's "thought experiments" to indicate mentally created simulations that can help conceptualize ideas. Presents seven examples of simulations that can be utilized to solve problems or illustrate concepts in probability and statistics. Problem contexts include games of chance,…

Discusses the use of computer visualization to motivate and support mathematical dialogues. Describes the "Scientific Visualization Software Suite," a set of public domain visualization tools from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. (Author/MDH)

Presents the portion of a larger study of A-level British students understandings of calculus that deals with ambiguities inherent in the phrases "tends to,""approaches,""converges," and "limit." Responses to two questionnaires indicate that the four phrases generate everyday connotations that are at odds…