Analyzes the individual and collective activities of fourth grade students while trying to explain a school fellow's mistake in the use of a geometrical schema for the sunshadows phenomenon. Aims at detecting productive links between context-related argumentation and mathematical modeling as well as discussing their relevance for mathematics…

Discusses the role of context problems as they are used in the Dutch approach known as realistic mathematics education (RME). Uses an RME design for a calculus course to illustrate that theory based on the design heuristic using context problems and modeling, which was developed for primary school mathematics, also fits advanced topics such as…

Reports on an instructional method designed to address the cognitive gaps in children's mathematical development where operational conceptions give rise to structural conceptions. Describes two experiments in teaching integers and conceptualizes modeling as the transformation of outside-school knowledge into school mathematics. (Contains 28…

Attempts to extend the range of application of the emergent perspective to middle and high school classrooms. Identifies some practices rooted in such rich environments from which several sociomathematical norms stemmed. Concludes that sociomathematical norms do not rise from verbal interactions only but also from computer manipulations as…

Analyzes the results of a Mexican/British project that used the sociocultural approach to investigate ways in which mathematics is used in the practice of school science and the role of spreadsheets as a mathematical modeling tool. Suggests the possibility of enhancing students' capability to shift between a wider range of representations using…

Develops and tests a function-based approach to algebra called the Visual Mathematics curriculum in grades 7-9. Presents a theoretical framework for a systemic investigation of the structures of algebra word problems and their relationship to function-based solutions. Suggests new insights into categorizing word problems. (Contains 19 references.)…

Illustrates and discusses two analytic concepts--situated learning and habitus--and their suitability for analyzing adults' knowing or not-knowing mathematics in different situation contexts by interpreting a 75-year-old woman's account of her life concerning her attitudes toward mathematics. (Contains 40 references.) (Author/ASK)

Presents the results of a research study conducted with apprentices in order to examine the double hypothesis that vocational training incorporating work placement provides the opportunity to construct authentic situations out of the everyday practices of students, and that these situations allow students to improve their understanding of…

Hypothesizes that various misconceptions held by students with regard to the mathematical set concept may be explained by the initial collection model. Study findings confirm the hypothesis. (Author/ASK)

Reports on a study that investigated prospective elementary teachers' knowledge and convictions regarding content, pedagogy, and pupil needs as well as their rationales for mathematics teaching. Discusses results by way of confronting the school as a locus for serious learning, and perceiving the school as a playhouse. Contains 44 references.…

Explores prospective teachers' learning to teach mathematics in the complex context of a university-based curriculum and instruction course. Concludes that the difficulties and tensions prospective teachers face in turn pose challenges and tensions for teacher educators. Contains 29 references. (Author/ASK)

Studies the effects of a course encouraging cooperative problem solving and reflection on thinking activities on students' attitudes. Reports that a majority declared negative attitudes but during the problem-solving course, the changes were almost all in the desired direction. Contains 18 references. (Author/ASK)

Investigates the effects of three methods of teaching on achievement in mathematics using traditional lecture method, interactive method with individual use of materials, and interactive method with group use of materials. Reports a significant interactive effect of gender and method of teaching on students' achievement. Contains 25 references.…

Since at least the 1980s, motivated, in part, by findings from international comparisons of students' mathematics achievement, some American (U.S.) educators and policy makers have initiated educational reform that focuses on improving teaching practices and curriculum designs by advocating for the adoption of Asian educational models. The…

As part of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, many states are using confidence intervals to determine a range of scores for evaluating a school system. More specifically, the states are employing confidence intervals to help minimize measurement error in determining a school system's performance. The methodology and techniques employed in…