It seems that calculators continue to be misunderstood as devices solely for calculation, although the likely contributions to learning mathematics with modern calculators arise from other characteristics. A four-part model to understand the educational significance of calculators underpins this paper. Each of the four components (representation,…

Existing studies have quantitatively evidenced the relatedness between problem posing and problem solving, as well as the magnitude of this relationship. However, the nature and features of this relationship need further qualitative exploration. This paper focuses on exploring the interactions, i.e., mutual effects and supports, between problem…

This article describes sixth-grade students' engagement in two model-eliciting activities offering students the opportunity to construct mathematical models. The findings show that students utilized their knowledge of fractions including conceptual and procedural knowledge in constructing mathematical models for the given situations. Some students…

In this paper, I report on doctoral research in which I studied the changes in mathematical knowledge and beliefs of two Year 5/6 teachers as they implemented a four-week innovative curriculum unit. Such immersion experiences have the potential to develop teachers' understanding of mathematics in the context of the classroom. Year 6 case study…

Many students' knowledge of fractions is adversely affected by whole number bias, the tendency to focus on the separate whole number components (numerator and denominator) of a fraction rather than on the fraction's magnitude (ratio of numerator to denominator). Although whole number bias appears early in the fraction learning process and under…

The transition from classical to electronic textbooks seems to be a logical step in the digitization advancing worldwide. However, developing an e-book ought to be more than digitizing text: key features of computer-based learning environments such as interactive exercises, adaptive demands, or automatic feedback should be integrated to take…

The current study aims to show the transition skills of sixth grade students between the representations (numerical, model, number line and verbal) given in addition-subtraction operations in fractions and to analyse the ability of the students to construct each representation type. In this research, case study method was used in terms of the…

Expertise in teacher noticing of children's thinking is central to a vision of responsive teaching in which teachers regularly elicit and build on children's thinking during instruction (Richards & Robertson, 2016). In mathematics classrooms, this core instructional practice of noticing children's mathematical thinking repeatedly occurs during…

This paper will focus on two students who depended on diagrammatic representations in both a Fraction Screening Test and in a subsequent Structured Interview. One student attempted to use diagrams, with limited success, to identify the correct relationships, and consequently struggled to generalise her strategies as she responded to the questions…

This paper proposes structural modification of the Clarke and Hollingsworth (2002) Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth (IMTPG) based on results from doctoral research that studied the changes in mathematical knowledge and beliefs of two Year 5/6 teachers as they implemented a four-week, innovative curriculum unit. These inclusions…

The efficacy of a research-based fraction sense intervention for sixth graders with or at risk for mathematics difficulties (N = 52) was examined. The intervention aimed to build understanding of fraction magnitudes on the number line. Key concepts were taught with a narrow range of denominators to develop deep understanding. The intervention was…

Young children spend a much greater amount of time on practicing multiplication facts compared to understanding the concept of multiplication. When students have long-term, foundational concepts rather than a series of fragmented algorithms or facts, they are more likely to understand and generalize the mathematics. Using generalized models that…

Competence with fractions is foundational to acquiring more advanced mathematical skills. However, achieving competency with fractions is challenging for many students, especially for those with mathematics learning difficulties who often lack foundational skill with whole numbers. Teaching fractions is also challenging for many teachers as they…

Research findings in the field of Mathematics Education emphasize that storytelling is an effective instructional tool in the teaching of mathematics, as it provides a meaningful context that attracts students' interest and makes learning a pleasant process. The use of stories and fairy tales in the teaching of mathematics motivates students to…

Recent data from a cross-national assessment, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), place the United States performance in mathematics at 38 out of 71 countries (OECD, 2016)--one clear indication of the ongoing need for the improvement of mathematics education. This improvement relies, in part, on improving undergraduate…