This study aims to report the effort on teaching vector algebra using free open source software (FOSS). Recent studies showed that students have difficulties in learning basic physics concepts. Constructivist learning theories suggest the use of visual and hands-on activities in learning. We will report on the software used for this purpose. The…

The sample assessment items in this volume are sorted according to the strands of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Because one goal of assessment is to determine students' abilities to communicate mathematically, the writing team suggests ways to extend or modify multiple-choice and…

Algebra is one of the top priorities of mathematics instruction for the elementary and middle grades. This book is designed to help K-2 teachers meet the challenge of making algebra an integral part of their mathematics instruction and realize both what to teach and how to teach central algebraic concepts. Classroom-tested lessons help teachers…

Promoting ACademic Excellence in Mathematics and Science for Workers of the 21st Century (PACE) was a consortium project made up of Indiana University Northwest, the Gary Community Schools, and the Merrillville Community Schools. The focus of this project was to prepare teachers and curricula for Tech Prep mathematics and science courses for the…

The paper considers a teaching experiment carried out with secondary school students (9th grade), who face modelling tasks to approach some basic concepts of algebra and early calculus. The focus is on an embodied analysis of students' cognitive processes. The analysis highlights the use of metaphors as a means of sharing knowledge. (Contains 2…

The ability to recognize equivalent algebraic expressions quickly and confidently is important for doing mathematics in an intelligent partnership with computer algebra. It is also a key aspect of algebraic expectation, the algebraic skill that parallels numeric estimation. The progress in this ability of 50 students learning mathematics with CAS…

The Purposeful Algebraic Activity Project is a longitudinal study of the development of pupils' algebraic activity in the early years of their secondary schooling. Here, we report on our empirical findings from the initial semi-structured interviews. We analyse the responses of three pairs of 12-year-old pupils to a range of algebra questions. In…

Astro Algebra is one of six titles in the Mighty Math Series from Edmark, a comprehensive line of math software for students from kindergarten through ninth grade. Many of the activities in Astro Algebra contain a unique technology that uses the computer to help students make the connection between concrete and abstract mathematics. This software…

Integrating mathematics with other disciplines is an important issue for mathematics education. Writing is one such discipline that can be usefully integrated with mathematics instruction. This collection of essays on the use of writing to teach mathematics is an outgrowth of sessions of contributed papers presented at the 1988 and 1989 Annual…

The different approaches for solving problems and learning mathematics with technology are invaluable. This paper describes how to determine the variables of the ordinary annuity equation with a spreadsheet. Examples of future value of annuity, sinking fund annuity, the number of periods necessary for periodic payments plus interest to accumulate…

The ability to express one's mathematical thoughts in writing and computational proficiency can be viewed as reflecting different aspects of an individual's understanding of mathematics. Computational proficiency is the primary means used by educators to assess students' understanding of mathematics and thus in the mathematics classroom, cognitive…

This book introduces journal-writing prompts in mathematics for Algebra I. Content prompts, attitudinal or affective prompts, and process prompts are presented. Each of the content prompts relates or connects topics within and outside of mathematics, targeting important or meaningful concepts and skills. The content prompts also provide situations…

This study investigated the effects on student understanding of linear relationships using the linked representation software VideoPoint as compared to using semi-linked representation software. It investigated students' attitudes towards and preferences for mathematical representations--equations, tables, or graphs. An Algebra I class was divided…

This report presents results from the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) tests administered in the spring of 1997 and results from end of course tests in Algebra and Biology. Only a slight decrease in the percentage passing the eighth-grade social studies test marred the otherwise across-the-board rise in percentages meeting minimum…

This paper reports on a case study that was conducted at five high schools from a large, urban school district located in South Texas. The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of Algebra 1 teaching strategies. The research questions were: (1) What is the predominant mode of instruction for Algebra 1? and (2) What is the level of…