The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of a process approach for the teaching of algebra with a heterogeneous class of eighth-grade students. The assessment was conducted by identifying the processes used by above-average, average, and below-average algebra students in solving standard and nonstandard problems ranging…

This paper argues that operations with negative numbers should be taught using a curriculum that is grounded in algebraic geometry. This position is supported by the results from a study that compared the conceptual understanding of grade 9 students who received the Algebra Project transition curriculum to a control group of grade 6 gifted…

Currently, in Texas public schools, there is a shortage of teachers holding secondary mathematics teaching certification. Many teachers have limited access to professional development opportunities due to occupational commitments, geographic proximity, family obligations, or inconvenience of transportation. However, with the incorporation of…

This paper presents two examples in which technology, in this case a fairly sophisticated authoring system--ToolBook, was used as a tool to construct student understandings in mathematics. In doing so, students were able: (1) to successfully identify the variables (unknowns) and the information given (data) in the problem; and (2) to create…

The effects of a form of cooperative group instruction called Team Assisted Individualization on students in a high school Algebra II class were examined. Sixty-two (31 female and 31 male) 11th-grade students were randomly assigned to either a cooperative learning (32 students) or traditional lecture (30 students) group. Students completed an…

Data from the 1980 High School and Beyond (HSB) study are used to examine the variables associated with the grades that college-bound high school sophomores received in English, algebra, and geometry courses. Special concerns included determining if gender differences in high school grades could be explained, and how teachers' perceptions of…

Proposes an account of mechanisms by which students develop knowledge structures for modeling the physical world with algebra. (Author/CCM)

Compares the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and conventional instruction (CI) for teaching a developmental education mathematics course to African-American college students. Results revealed statistically significant difference on the algebra posttest. Students in the CAI section had significantly higher attitudes toward…

This paper discusses the role of the culture in secondary mathematics education. A historical and philosophical look at the relationship between the real world and mathematics and mathematics education is developed. The U.S. secondary mathematics curriculum is explored both historically and philosophically to try to ascertain its changing…

Research has often found little or no significant differences in overall performance for math students using graphing calculators compared to traditional (non-calculator) classes. However, when performance is divided into procedural and conceptual levels, significant differences appear at the conceptual level. This study investigates the relation…

The validation of key contextual features of algebra word problems was studied in two phases. In the first phase, five experts were asked to assess the appropriateness of the concepts in the problems and the adequacy of the assignment of the contextual features to the problems. In the second phase, construct validity was established by having 6…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the TI-81 Graphics Calculator as an instructional tool on college algebra students' conceptual and procedural achievements involving functions and graphs and on the students' attitudes toward mathematics. The study was a posttest-only, equivalent control group design conducted with students…

Although one-to-one tutoring has often been regarded as the most effective method of teaching, surprisingly little is understood about tutoring expertise. This paper describes initial attempts to study one-to-one tutoring. The goal of the research was to construct a detailed cognitive model of the reasoning and knowledge of an expert human tutor.…

This report is incorporated into "Attaining Excellence: A TIMSS Resource Kit." Released in Fall 1997, the TIMSS resource kit was developed for educators and those interested in using TIMSS data to improve teaching, curricula, and student achievement in state and local communities. This module presents information about the grade 8…

Examined beliefs of elementary, middle, and high school mathematics teachers regarding algebra development. Found that teachers held a symbol-precedence view of student mathematical development. High school teachers were most likely to hold the symbol-precedence view and made the poorest predictions of students' performance, whereas middle school…