Analyzes case study data of 10 low achieving students, ages 14-15, to examine the effects of participation in computer spreadsheet sessions on their understanding of mathematical symbols. Participation improved students' attitudes toward problem solving. (MDH)

Describes a study conducted in elementary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland that assessed the impact of the use of laptop computers on academic achievement in mathematics, English, and science. Treatments for the experimental and control groups are described, and performance measures are explained. (seven references) (LRW)

Given the recent reconceptualizations about the nature and the role of writing within the mathematics curriculum, the proposal to instigate similar reconceptualizations, regarding the nature and the role of reading mathematics within curricular designs, is discussed with respect to appropriate strategies and relevant contexts. (JJK)

Presents a unit developed by the 1991 Oregon Mathematics Teachers of Middle School project in which students investigate the average temperature, precipitation, and snowfall in their town using spreadsheets and graphing packages. Students compare the averages over a period of 30 years to a particular year. (MDH)

Reports results of a survey to identify and compare characteristics of active mathematics (n=2,510) and science (n=1,870) in Alabama. Characteristics compared included teacher certification, experience and age; gender; daily preparations required; microcomputer availability; and continuing education participation. Greatest needs identified…

Presents a collection of computer programs for teaching elementary and middle school mathematics. At the primary level, programs teach students skip counting, measurement, graphs, number patterns, place value, addition, and subtraction. An action game for the upper elementary level teaches mental math, geometry, statistics, addition,…

Describes the problems of education in Southern and South Africa. Maintains that, although the need to incorporate the four traditions of geography into the curriculum is widely recognized, much teaching is still traditional and unimaginative, leaving students unaware of the possibilities for geography. Also offers Five suggestions for solving the…

Shows fragility of knowledge in connection with a false application of mathematical induction, as observed in a problem-solving course for prospective teachers. The attempt to explain the observations is based upon an analysis of the logic underlying proof by mathematical induction and a concept formation theory. (MKR)

To make sense of the complex information taught in the upper elementary grades -- and to understand the language that increasingly appears in high-stakes tests--students must be proficient in academic English. English language learners are at a serious disadvantage. Two word problems in mathematics illustrate the difficulties that these students…

This study was designed to examine the effects of math anxiety and perfectionism on math performance, under timed testing conditions, among mathematically gifted sixth graders. We found that participants had worse math performance during timed versus untimed testing, but this difference was statistically significant only when the timed condition…

A study was conducted at Merrimack College in Massachusetts to compare the grades of students who took the recommended course as determined by their mathematics placement exam score and those who did not follow this recommendation. The goal was to decide whether the mathematics placement exam used at Merrimack College was effective in placing…

The current work is the first article in a two-paper series exploring the role of explicit learning objectives in undergraduate mathematics instruction. A definition of student-learning objective (SLO) is introduced. We give examples of SLOs for topics from introductory college and university mathematics courses. We list potential advantages of a…

In their review of evidence-based research entitled "A Review of Research on Outdoor Learning," Rickinson "et al." (2004) identify five key constraints that limit the amount of outdoor learning. This paper explores whether green school grounds might be a location where these constraints could be minimised. Specifically, it…

This paper examines a preservice teacher initiative whose overarching goal is to begin to reverse the cycle of educational failure for students labeled "at-risk." Although research in teacher preparation has explored the ways in which preservice teachers learn to teach, few studies have focused on how teaching in an alternative high school…

This submission contains the Proceedings of the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG), held at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta. The CMESG is a group of mathematicians and mathematics educators who meet annually to discuss mathematics education issues at all levels of learning. The aims of the…