In this quasi-experimental study involving 23 fourth grade teachers, we investigated the effect of implementing teacher-child dynamic mathematics interviews to improve mathematics teaching behavior in the classroom. After a baseline period of 13 months, the teachers participated in a professional development program to support the use of dynamic…

This paper expands the scope of typical quantitative studies on mathematics self-efficacy by including a short ethnography of the students' daily classroom experiences. It attempts to provide a "thicker description" and a context in which these beliefs could be interpreted. Using both qualitative and quantitative sets of data, it is…

Teacher educators may need to pay attention to pre-service elementary teachers' motivation to learn mathematics in order to help them develop a deep level of understanding from their mathematics content courses for teachers (content courses) and to help them develop the disposition to learn mathematics throughout their careers. In this…

The purpose of the mix-methods action research study was to seek how the changes in students' perceptions about teacher classroom interpersonal behaviors, the four efficacy sources and mathematics self-efficacy beliefs were related. The methods used to accomplish this were: descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient…

Using a Mixed Methods approach, this study investigated changes in levels of self-efficacy among elementary preservice teachers following a semester course on teaching elementary students' mathematics. Participants in this study included 347 preservice elementary teachers at a mid-size regional university who had just completed an elementary…

Research and theory suggest several instructional practices that could enhance student self-efficacy. However, little is known about the ways these instructional practices interact with individual students to create opportunities or challenges for developing adaptive self-efficacy. In this study, we focused on two sources of efficacy, mastery…

Many courses for elementary school are based upon teacher presentation and explanation of basic topics, rather than allowing students to develop their own knowledge. This traditional model may turn elementary-level lessons into an extremely theoretical, boring and non-effective process. In this context, research in mathematics elementary education…

The need for high quality experimental research on the effectiveness of multimedia learning in K-12 schools is immense when considering the need to provide the best education for each child. However, there is little evidence-based research available to guide education leaders' decisions relating to technology initiatives. Therefore, the…

A solution to the Rubik's Cube was introduced to an eighth grade mathematics class. The purpose of this study was to determine if an introduction to a solution to the Rubik's Cube could enhance students' problem-solving abilities, increase their general interest in mathematics, and enhance students' problem solving self-efficacy. Pre and Post…

Beginning algebra is a gatekeeper course into the pipeline to higher mathematics courses required for respected professions in engineering, science, statistics, mathematics, education, and technology. Beginning algebra can also be a perfect storm if the necessary foundational skills are not within a student's grasp. What skills ensure beginning…

Profile analyses were used to investigate differences in the self-efficacy growth of teachers with more and less mathematics background as the teachers participated in professional development across two summers. Professional development activities were associated with increases in teachers' self-efficacy; however, without considering mathematics…

Teachers in urban Title I schools in a Southeastern U.S. state are challenged by factors that might contribute to low efficacy for mathematics instruction. High percentages of non-White students are not meeting the state standards. In addition, teachers struggle with the intent of the mathematics standard indicators and how to best prepare…

The purpose of this research is to examine the connections between self-efficacy beliefs about mathematics and participation. The sample for this study (n = 16) was purposefully selected from two Algebra I classrooms in a Midwestern high school. From the 16 target participants, eight were female and eight were male. The focus of the study was the…

Mathematics is a key to all scientific subjects. Learning mathematics requires cognitive and meta-cognitive effort. Many students suffer from mathematics anxiety that very often leads to physiological symptoms. Self-efficacy is defined as people's beliefs about their capabilities to produce designated levels of performance that affect their lives.…

The purposes of this study are to report the influences of a mixed delivery professional development [PD] course involving face-to-face classes and the mentoring assisted inquiry-based teaching [MAIT] website that addressed the conceptual change and self-efficacy of high school mathematics and science teachers' conceptions of inquiry-based…