THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN IN THIS STUDY OF THE USE OF PROGRAMED MATERIALS TO TEACH HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS DESIGNATED FOUR GROUPS--A CONTROL GROUP TAUGHT CONVENTIONALLY BY TEACHERS TRAINED TO USE PROGRAMED MATERIALS, A "PURE" GROUP USING PROGRAMED MATERIALS ONLY, AND "ANTICIPATING" AND "FOLLOWING" GROUPS THAT USED…

Several methods of teaching college-level mathematics sequences are examined for their advantages, disadvantages, and costs. Materials considered include textbooks, film sequences, videotaped lectures, and individualized teaching machines. (SD)

This report examines and summarizes the needs in mathematics of the Fresno City school system. The study is one in a series of needs assessment reports for PROJECT DESIGN, an ESEA Title III project administered by the Fresno City Unified School District. Theoretical concepts, rather than computational drill, would be emphasized in the proposed…

This set of 11 teacher-prepared Learning Activity Packages (LAPs) in intermediate algebra covers number systems; exponents and radicals; polynomials and factoring; rational expressions; coordinate geometry; relations, functions, and inequalities; quadratic equations and inequalities; Quadratic functions; systems of equations and inequalities;…

This guide is designed to aid the teacher in planning and teaching an eighth-grade mathematics course which should strengthen the student's understanding of the basic structure of mathematics through experience with and appreciation of abstract concepts. Thirteen units outlined are entitled: Numeration Systems; Natural Numbers and Zero; Integers;…

Reviews for three software packages are given. Those packages are: Linear Algebra Computer Companion; Probability and Statistics Demonstrations and Tutorials; and Math Utilities: CURVES, SURFS, AND DIFFS. (PK)

Argues that computer instantiations of abstract concepts could assist mathematics education by providing concrete experiences and by inducing the mental process of construction that Piaget called reflexive abstraction. College students with computer experiences scored higher than those taught with traditional methods on a test of functions and…

Reviews of the courseware "Discovery! Experiences with Scientific Reasoning" and "Guess My Rule" are given. Discusses the accompanying manuals, the relative ease of use, and content of the programs. (PK)

Describes a hierarchical system of problem-solving strategies employed for the solution of a specific kind of problem about speed. Presents the results of 563 high school students tested with problems relating to distance, speed, and time. Provides a rationale for the methods used. (TW)

Some specific uses of microcomputers in mathematics instruction are presented. Included are examples for generating data and patterns, checking, practice of various types, developing understanding, comparing results, simulation of experiments, introducing new ideas, solving problems, and extending into new areas. Brief computer programs are given.…

The term "numeracy" is used in the adult education community to include an array of mathematically related proficiencies that are evident in adults' lives and worthy of attention in adult education settings. This occasional paper attempts to describe the complex nature of numeracy as it exists today. All stakeholders--including policymakers,…

We report the findings of an empirical analysis of the performance of a group of middle and high school students before and after an after-school algebra enrichment program using the SimCalc software incorporating classroom networks. The results highlight statistically significant gains in their learning and briefly outline contributing factors of…

The second volume of the 24th annual conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education contains full research report papers. Papers include: (1) "What you see is what you get: The influence of visualization on the perception of data structures" (Dan Aharoni); (2) "Exploring the transparency of graphs and graphing"…

The third volume of the 24th annual conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education contains full research report papers. Papers include: (1) "Mathematics classrooms functioning as communities of inquiry: Possibilities and constraints for changing practice" (Susie Groves, Brian Doig, and Laurance Splitter); (2)…

Presents an extended activity consisting of a sequence of tasks organized so that students can visit several mathematical concepts concurrently and explore connections among them. Students build solids using bendable straws to form the skeletons of various polyhedra. Topics covered include tables and charts, algebraic expressions, surface area,…