This paper reports on a research project undertaken with a group (n = 19) of Irish preservice student teachers (PSTs) during the third year of a five-year undergraduate education course. A series of workshops were carried out on the classification and design of mathematics tasks. The research is presented as a case study using mixed methods to…

A growing number of university STEM departments are incorporating active learning practices in their courses in response to evidence of the general effectiveness of such practices. Professional development for instructors new to active learning practices is increasingly important as efforts extend to reach past early adopters to engage a wider…

Nat Banting, argues that the "invert and multiply" algorithm for division of fractions is, in fact, not an algorithm. He suggests that Liping Ma's (1999) algorithm, which involves writing the fractions with a common denominator and then dividing the numerator of the first fraction by the numerator of the second fraction, is better as it…

We present a Scratch task we designed and implemented for teaching and learning coordinates in a dynamic and engaging way. We use the 5Es framework to describe the students' interactions with the task and offer suggestions of how other teachers may adopt it to successfully implement Scratch tasks.

This article presents examples of how early childhood educators (prek-2nd grade) might use their daily read alouds as a vehicle for increasing mathematical talk and mathematical connections for their students.

This paper starts by addressing a complexity theory and then distinguishing complex systems from complicated systems. After that, the paper addresses a concept study by connecting it with complex systems because a class is considered as a complex system having many students with different constraints, experiences, and perspectives including…

An escape room can be a great way for students to apply and practice mathematics they have learned. This article describes the development and implementation of a mathematical escape room with important principles to incorporate in escape rooms to help students persevere in problem solving.

We analyzed the solution pathways and errors found in the written responses of 469 prospective teachers solving an equation containing fractions. The majority (332, or 70%) used an algebraic method; 141 of the 332 (42%) were correct, and 22% of the algebraic methods were abandoned before a solution was obtained. We identified the steps in the…

This paper introduces two central questions (1) what are available methodologies for making claims about mathematical practice and (2) when and how do claims about mathematical practice influence mathematics instruction. To motivate these questions, we critically analyze the relationship between research into mathematicians' practice and the…

In this study, we examine the connections between real analysis concepts and secondary mathematics content. This is accomplished by conducting a textbook analysis of a commonly used real analysis textbook. Concepts from the real analysis textbook were mapped to the Common Core State Standards-Mathematics (2010) to determine the relationship…

When first learning how to write mathematical proofs, it is often easier for students to work with statements using the universal quantifier. Results that single out special cases might initially come across as more puzzling or even mysterious. In this article we explore three specific statements from abstract algebra that involve the number…

The purpose of this research is to classify the mathematical modelling problems produced by pre-service mathematics teachers in terms of the number of variables and to determine the mathematical modelling skills and mathematical skills used in solving the problems in each class. The current study is a qualitative research and the data was analyzed…

In this note, I present an 'easy-to-be-remembered' shortcut for promptly solving the ubiquitous integral [line integral] x[superscript n] e[superscript alpha x] dx for any integer n>0 using only the successive derivatives of x[superscript n]. Some interesting applications are indicated. The shortcut is so simple that it could well be included…

Developing computational thinking (CT) skills at a young age is critical for preparing preschool children to engage with the technologies that have become central to nearly every occupation and for improving achievements in STEM, literacy, and other disciplines. This paper builds on foundational research in early childhood math and CT by reporting…

Definitions are fundamental to any mathematics classroom. We consider how definitions are presented in textbooks and instructors' lecture notes, and whether students are positioned to gain a full understanding of new terms. Four textbooks, covering precalculus, calculus, and analysis, as well as three professors' Calculus I lecture notes are…