Students in mathematics classrooms were asked to select cartoons that best depicted their visions of typical and ideal mathematics classrooms. Many students picked the model of teacher as sage-on-the-stage as ideal. Students' views about teaching must be addressed to make changes in teaching approaches to prepare students for the 21st century.…

Increasingly, college teachers and instructional designers are exploring use of the technology of virtual reality to enhance student learning in math, science, and the social sciences. It is found particularly useful for teaching psychomotor skills and may have potential to make scientific concepts and abstract subjects more accessible to…

Integrating literature and mathematics can be meaningful using David Macaulay's "Pyramid." This article provides an annotated bibliography of picture books, fiction, folk tales, nonfiction, videotapes, audio books, and CD-ROMs for grades 1-12 to support a unit on Egypt. Describes related math activities; and highlights a catalog of…

A research physicist and science educator who became a U.S. congressman explains the goals of a Science Committee review of U.S. policy on science and technology. The challenges faced by the nation in coping with technological advancements are described. Specific reforms needed include giving students a sense of the process of science and focusing…

Presents a three-year longitudinal study investigating the development of children's (n=82) understanding of multidigit number concepts and operations in grades one through three by using interview processes. Provides an existence proof that children can invent strategies for adding and subtracting and illustrates both what that invention affords…

According to newly released Third International Mathematics and Science Study data, American children may score low on international comparisons because teachers are trying to teach them too many topics. Surprisingly, Florida's minimum competency testing program has not increased low-achievers' dropout rate. A recent "American…

Describes the implementation of a project to prepare mentor and student teachers to teach mathematics and science through the integration of multimedia technology and pedagogy. Evaluation of project training and implementation found that student teachers were better prepared to integrate technology and that mentor teachers changed how they taught…

Profiles new CD-ROM technologies for middle schoolers, in the fields of mathematics and science, aimed at motivating and holding student interest. Describes three titles (Math Heads, Sunny Math, and The Ultimate 3-D Skeleton) in terms of manufacturer, capabilities, platform, and price. Several additional titles are described more briefly. (SD)

Explores the empirical evidence that explains the increasing attrition rates of first year college science, math, and engineering (SME) majors. Results suggest that the interaction of instructional factors, differing high school and college faculty expectations for entering SME undergraduates, and epistemological considerations contribute to…

Examines research on computer-based mathematics learning in the context of constructivist learning and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards. The reviewed studies examined the effectiveness of computer software in the three categories of programming, computer-assisted instruction, and mathematical tools. Future research is…

Examines whether team-taught, departmentalized, and K-8 schools differed in academic achievement at grades six, seven, and eight. Dependent variables were mean building-level achievement scores in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies on the Spring 1995 Missouri Mastery and Achievement Tests. During the transition year, middle schools…

Analyzes, as a function of grade level, the representation of gender, competition, and violence in 17 top-selling software programs designed for mathematics education. Results indicate that mean percentages of violence, competition against the program and competition against a peer increase across grade level; mean percentages of female characters…

Reports a study of how instructors in methods classes in mathematics, science, and technology addressed issues of gender equity. A national survey of teacher educators examined their attitudes toward, participation in, and satisfaction with their teaching about gender equity. Results indicated that the teacher educators were interested but…

The contributions of open-ended tasks in examining students' mathematical performance were studied with 250 U.S. and 425 Chinese sixth graders. Open-ended tasks allow for analysis of student performance that cannot be assessed solely by percent correct or incorrect, but they pose many problems, such as those of translation. (SLD)

Introduces a series of articles on science and mathematics teacher education in Europe that highlight teaching strategies for dealing with students' conceptions; student teacher education; and experienced teacher education. (SM)