This paper is drawn from a doctoral thesis (Rosa, 2008) that examines the relations established between the construction of online identities and the teaching and learning of the definite integral concept in an online learning course. The role-playing game (RPG) is played out through chat and calls for the creation of characters (online…

This paper addresses the issue of subjectivity in the context of mathematics education research. It introduces the psychoanalyst and theorist Jacques Lacan whose work on subjectivity combined Freud's psychoanalytic theory with processes of signification as developed in the work of de Saussure and Peirce. The paper positions Lacan's subjectivity…

This paper discusses variation in reasoning strategies among expert mathematicians, with a particular focus on the degree to which they use examples to reason about general conjectures. We first discuss literature on the use of examples in understanding and reasoning about abstract mathematics, relating this to a conceptualisation of syntactic and…

One of the great strengths of Jim Kaput's research program was his relentless drive towards scaling up his innovative approach to teaching the mathematics of change and variation. The SimCalc mission, "democratizing access to the mathematics of change," was enacted by deliberate efforts to reach an increasing number of teachers and students each…

This article explores some of the intellectual bases of the apparent cultural divide between the fields of mathematics and mathematics education research. The chasm is in part attributable to epistemologies or theoretical "paradigms", fashionable in education, that dismiss or deny the integrity of fundamental aspects of mathematical and scientific…

Discussed are the roles played by anticipation, belief, and motivation in two young children's problem-solving activity. It is argued that a solver's beliefs and motivations are intimately related, and that the discussion of the two children's behaviors may have some generality. (Author/MNS)

Data collected in Britain on 15,000 children aged seven, 11, and 16 over a 26-year period were examined to determine mathematical attainment of geographically mobile children. Discussed are reasons why a literature review indicated that research evidence on the effects of school changes are contradictory and inconclusive. (MNS)

Studied for three years were eight Swedish classes with pupils aged 10-12 using calculators whenever they could be of use, along with experimental textbooks. The experimental classes were as competent as control classes in mental arithmetic and calculations with simple algorithms, and had better understanding of numbers and problem solving. (MNS)

The literature on proportional reasoning is reviewed. After methodology is discussed, strategies used to solve proportion problems, variables that influence performance, and training studies are each considered. (MNS)

Implications of using pupil-to-pupil discussion with mathematics classrooms are discussed, with different ways in which such discussion might promote mathematical understanding. A framework for instruction includes the learning of the computer language Logo. (MNS)

A test of logic using implicational and disjunctive sentences was given to Chinese and English speakers. No differences were found on "if-then" sentences, but differences were found on "or" sentences. (MNS)

Mathematical creativity is considered important by many mathematics educators. This literature review gives particular attention to attempts to assess creative ability. Two key aspects emerge related to fixations in problem solving and divergent production, and these might form the basic framework for fostering and rewarding mathematical…

The relationship between the historical evolution of algebraic ideas and their conceptual development is examined. A study with secondary school students indicates a possible parallelism between algebraic evolution and conceptual development and indicates how historical analysis can guide teaching. (MNS)

The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the difficulties met by adults with lower levels of education on reading perspective drawings. Subjects were asked to describe verbally two perspective drawings of objects, then choose objects with defined spatial properties. Results indicated that success was an "all or nothing" matter.…

This paper is a case study of newspaper mathematics courses developed by SACHED TRUST and published as part of a broader newspaper project in South Africa between 1977 and 1980. Findings are presented, culminating in some recommendations for the future use of the newspaper for motivating adults to study mathematics. (Author/PK)