This paper reports early work from a project examining the affordances offered by Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs). Here the focus is on the teaching of the definition of quadrilaterals through the use of Cabri Geometre. We discuss the work of two 11-year-old children, who are exploring the kite. The protocol highlights the complexities inherent in…

It is becoming widely recognised that teachers' content knowledge has an important influence on their pedagogical content knowledge, and hence on the learning of students. In secondary schools, function is one of the fundamental concepts of mathematics. This paper considers the understanding of function exhibited by a group of teacher trainees in…

The potential uses of online communication in the preparation of preservice and inservice secondary mathematics teachers transcend the traditional geographic benefits of distance education. Not only can the technology provide asynchronous instruction over great distances, it may also be used to create genuine opportunities for keeping pace with…

This study examined the theoretical beliefs and practice of a middle school mathematics teacher. The teacher completed formal and informal interviews and a survey that identified his beliefs about teaching, what he thought was important for his students to learn, and what he believed was the teacher's role in the classroom. The researcher…

Findings of a study of bilingual Punjabi, Mirpuri, Italian, and Jamaican children aged 11-13 growing up in England are reported. First-language competence was found to be an important factor in children's ability to do mathematical reasoning in English as a second language. Knowledge of logical connectives appeared crucial. (MNS)

Describes an interactive computer game (for Apple II) designed to challenge students' problem-solving skills. The game is appropriate for science/mathematics classes from high school to college (particularly in logical problem-solving units). Includes game design/operation and list of characteristics of scientific research (as applied to general…

Summarizes views expressed and issues raised at the National Convocation on Precollege Education in Mathematics and Science and another meeting to establish a coalition of affiliates for science and mathematics education. (DC)

Reviews computer program on factoring whole numbers (suitable for Pet, Apple or TRS-80). Discusses documentation and selected aspects of the 12 interactive lessons, games, and exercises suitable as new material for upper elementary/junior high school students and as review/remedial material at the secondary/junior college levels. (JN)

Classroom behavior was observed over a six-month period in 68 junior high school classes to determine (a) the temporal stability of the behavioral indexes and (b) reliable trends over the school year. A certain deterioration occurs in late spring and observations obtained in midyear are less likely to be distorted. (Author/GK)

Loan and estimated payment problems are featured in this presentation of mathematics-oriented programing tasks designed for the beginning student. (MP)

Cognitive science research has created considerable change in people's understanding of what learning is and how it happens. This change has implications for teaching, learning, and assessment. To develop students' deep understanding of a subject, teachers must understand cognitive theories of learning and apply them in their classroom-assessment…

A model for conceptualizing teacher change was developed during a two-year study of mathematics teachers' implementation of an innovative curriculum. Based on constructivist views of teaching and learning, the model suggested that one way to promote change in teaching practice is to structure interactions among teachers to promote reflective…

Used data from the Baccalaureate and Beyond study to examine different paths to teaching grades 6-12 math and science taken by recent U.S. college graduates and differences in experiences and commitment toward teaching. Only 46.6 percent of new teachers were minimally qualified. Those with math or science certification were most likely to be…

Discussed are supercalculator capabilities and possible teaching implications. Included are six examples that use a supercalculator for topics that include volume, graphing, algebra, polynomials, matrices, and elementary calculus. A short review of the research on supercomputers in education and the impact they could have on the curriculum is…

Discussed are some situations students face that result in cognitive conflict, possible sources of these conflicts, and strategies which students use to resolve, remove, or circumvent them. A global account for observed systematic errors is offered based on a general problem-solving rule called the "Matching Rule." (KR)