Many students with learning difficulties have trouble solving mathematical word problems. Presents DISCOVER, an intelligent tutoring system that teaches students this task with less failure and frustration. Features a review of literature on word problem instruction, an explanation of intelligent tutoring systems, and a description of DISCOVER.…

Pilots and evaluates a math activity initially utilizing M&Ms as manipulatives, then progressing to computer software math activities, in five early childhood classrooms. Concludes that there were no significant differences between learning tasks, monolingual students vs. bilingual students, and manipulative (hands-off) activities vs. computer…

Presents graphic means of representing deductive proofs in a sentential system of symbolic logic. Provides students with performance data following a description of the rule set and the working backwards method. Shows that one interface design is superior to others in respect to working backwards. Draws some general conclusions concerning the…

Discusses dialogue journal writing and its incorporation into a college-level Calculus 1 course. Identifies how: (a) e-mail dialogue journals provided a viable means of individualized, continual contact with students in a large class; (b) students benefited from asking questions and receiving timely explanations; and (c) the instructor received…

Designs a set of spreadsheet-supported activities to examine how preservice and inservice teachers behave in an exploratory computer setting, thus providing clues capable of informing the design of other learning opportunities using this technological tool. Describes the content of the activities devised and some of the strategies used by teachers…

Investigates the effects of two instructional strategies--augmented activation activities vs. expository instruction--and three different presentation formats--microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL), simulation, and computer-based text--on individuals' ability to understand concepts in physics. Indicates significant main effect for presentation…

Explores what can be learned--in particular, what can be learned about science--from the Web sites of four well-known science journals: Discover, Scientific American, Nature, and Science. (Author/ASK)

Compares student achievement based upon which calculus program--traditional calculus, Harvard Consortium Calculus, or Calculus Using Mathematica--the student completed. Finds some differences when students took different types of calculus during subsequent terms. Justifies teaching reformed calculus in place of traditional calculus. (Author/ASK)

Shows how the joint use of a dynamic geometry program and a spreadsheet can provide a computational environment for exploring geometry on plane lattices that lessens the risk of developing the false empiricist view of mathematics often associated with the use of information technology. Contains 17 references. (Author/ASK)

Compares science students who were exposed to traditional methodology with those who received traditional methodology supplemented with computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Indicates that on the average, students receiving traditional instruction supplemented with CAI attained higher academic achievement than did 60.4% of those receiving only…

Describes computer activities that offer middle school students opportunities to cooperatively explore problem situations and connect mathematical understandings to each other, to their experiences, and to other disciplines. Contains 19 references. (Author/ASK)

Examines the effects of professional development in multimedia-based technology for 26 inservice and 14 preservice teachers on science and mathematics instruction. Focuses on three components critical to the success of this professional-development model: (1) linkage of pedagogy to technology; (2) collaborative teacher planning of instructional…

Analyzes and refutes the arguments made by "back-to-basics" proponents against the use of calculators and for traditional instruction in the algorithms of pencil-and-paper arithmetic. Argues for the value of mental arithmetic in achieving all the aims and more of the traditional curriculum. (Author/ASK)

Focuses on changes in attitude toward mathematics and calculator use and changes in how general mathematics students naturalistically solve algebraic problems. Uses a survey to determine whether a student is rule-based. Concludes that the rule-based students used an equation to solve the algebraic word problem whereas the non-rule-based students…

Compares students of average ability in three high school geometry classes that utilized computer software in varying amounts. Reports that using computer software may not be beneficial when teaching certain topics in geometry and that using computer software did improve student interest and participation. Contains 13 references. (Author/ASK)