Presents a theoretical framework based on interviews with undergraduate students and written questionnaires to study how undergraduate students cope with abstract algebra concepts. Indicates that students' responses can be interpreted as a result of reducing the level of abstraction. Examines the theme of reducing abstraction based on three…

Investigates 6th-grade students' use of equations to describe and represent problem situations prior to formal instruction in algebra. Describes students' preinstructional uses of equations to generalize problem situations and raise questions about the most appropriate curriculum for building on students' intuitive knowledge of algebra. (Contains…

A study investigated the effects of an instructional strategy within a graduated teaching sequence on the representation and solution of problem-solving skills encompassing integer numbers for six secondary students with learning disabilities. Results indicate problem-solving skills dramatically improved following instruction at the concrete,…

Diversity can be introduced in algebra without needing extra time. Explores three opportunities to encounter and engage diversity: (1) history; (2) multiple representations; and (3) object concept of function. (ASK)

Shares the experiences of intermediate algebra course instructors at a large urban community college in using a service-learning project to help students understand and appreciate the mathematics they were studying. (ASK)

Describes a newly designed interdisciplinary course called 'Algebra for the Sciences'. Studies the effects of the course on students' critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and attitudes towards mathematics. Concludes that students had larger gains in critical thinking skills and significantly more positive attitudes towards mathematics…

Presents evaluative work based on the computer algebra system (CAS) TREEFROG which enables drill-and-practice examples to be attempted with immediate, and ultimately intelligent, feedback. Contends that by using a suitable repertoire of black and white box CAS, a full range of algebraic skills can be developed. Presents preliminary evidence based…

Provides experiences of teaching students who had the use of a TI-92 for the semester, both in and out of class, with a greater emphasis on modeling and qualitative graphical methods and decreased emphasis on explicit solution techniques. Indicates that the TI-92 proved to be an invaluable tool for this course. (Author/ASK)

Of 19 college algebra classes, 12 used WeBWorK and 7 used traditional paper and pencil homework (PPH). Given the earlier quantitative result that no significant difference in performance between WeBWorK and PPH classes was found, a qualitative analysis of 358 student and instructor surveys revealed 3 primary categories of student perceptions…

The purpose of this article is to explore some research into teaching and learning algebra, and to consider related classroom issues. This leads to the development of diagnostic instruments that may be used by senior secondary teachers as students leave the middle years and embark on rigorous mathematical study. It also outlines an effective…

Several hierarchical classes models can be considered for the modeling of three-way three-mode binary data, including the INDCLAS model (Leenen, Van Mechelen, De Boeck, and Rosenberg, 1999), the Tucker3-HICLAS model (Ceulemans,VanMechelen, and Leenen, 2003), the Tucker2-HICLAS model (Ceulemans and Van Mechelen, 2004), and the Tucker1-HICLAS model…

Through the use of taped interviews, the reasoning level of eleven (11) pre-service teachers relative to selected concepts in Algebra was ascertained. Yumus' (2001) levels of reasoning were applied as a guide, namely: (a) Level 1: Unable to produce any reasoning, (b) Level 2: Have awareness of the models, known facts, properties and relationships…

Assessing common target outcome for a general education program is difficult in an undergraduate "cafeteria style" program because of the scope of courses and lack of uniformity in the students' choices, and the difficulties associated with tracking a large number of transfer students. The University of Central Florida used a course…

This study explored the use of writing to help students' develop schemata knowledge for algebraic thinking. Eight seventh-grade pre-algebra students participated in a teaching experiment in which they solved algebraic problems related in mathematical structure. The problems involved contexts of growth and change and size and shape. Qualitative…

This article describes a variety of activities that ask students to identify, describe, compare, and classify symbol strings (algebraic expressions and equations). The activities use a collection of twelve symbol strings on cards. (Contains 2 figures.)