Symbols occupy a pivotal position between processes to be carried out and concepts to be thought about. They allow us both to do mathematical problems and to think about mathematical relationships. In this presentation, the discontinuities that occur in the learning path taken by different students, leading to a divergence between conceptual and…

This collection of activities demonstrates how the study of elementary mathematics can be extended beyond the school and involve teachers and students in investigative, problem-based experiences. The activities include topics in geometry, concept of number, algebra, measurement, graphing, statistics, and probability, and are organized into five…

This book serves as a guide for Australian parents who want to take an active role in the mathematics learning of their children. It presents material so that families will learn, think, and talk about mathematics. Many family-life lessons, such as weighing out ingredients for a cake or choosing the best route to the zoo, are presented. The book…

Over the past five years, Pesek (Simoneaux), Gray and Golding have been actively involved in the Louisiana Systemic Initiative Program (LaSIP) and the Louisiana Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers (LACEPT) grants through Southeastern Louisiana University. Through these grants teachers from the region are inserviced on…

Two cases are described in which alternative assessments have been successfully employed in college mathematics. Case 1 describes an alternative assessment applied in a class of 10 elementary school teachers studying Euclidean geometry as required by state teacher-certification requirements. One student asserted that he already had an adequate…

This book is designed to help teachers in the elementary grades deepen their understanding of the mathematics they have to teach. It is based on the belief that teachers cannot teach what they do not understand well, and it addresses several fundamental questions: (1) What math concepts and skills are important in the elementary grades?; (2) Why…

Methods are described for visualizing and characterizing user interactions with hypermedia systems; they have been found to be effective in several developmental and evaluation studies. Analyzing the patterns of user interaction makes it possible to evaluate the design and usefulness of such systems. Path algebras can be used to describe and…

A study was conducted to determine if significant differences existed in academic performance in general studies courses between students who received degrees in special education and students who received degrees in early childhood/elementary education. Subjects (N=284) were students who received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in…

Students can learn to solve problems of qualitative integration and differentiation independently of their study of formal calculus or algebra. This exploratory study investigated the basic intuitions that elementary school children construct in their daily experience with physical and symbolic change. Elementary school children (n=18) were…

This study reports the results of the implementation of Project SEED, a mathematics program for urban elementary school students, in five urban districts: Camden (New Jersey); Dallas (Texas); Detroit (Michigan); Indianapolis (Indiana); and the West Contra Costa Unified School District in Richmond and San Pablo (California). Students exposed to at…

The goal of this book is to help students make sense of mathematics and become confident in their ability to do so. Section 1: "Foundations of Teaching Mathematics," includes chapters entitled: (1) "Teaching Mathematics: Reflections and Directions"; (2) "Exploring What It Means to Do Mathematics"; (3) "Developing Understanding in Mathematics"; (4)…

According to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) which compared student performance in mathematics and science in 41 countries in 1995, fourth grade students in the United States perform only slightly above the international average in mathematics. The study showed that most U.S. students are mastering basic arithmetic;…

President Clinton, like President Bush before him, has challenged the nation's schools to participate in a rigorous national test of each student's reading skills at grade 4 and mathematics skills at grade 8. Tests would be voluntary and administered by private testing companies. They would allow parents to judge the adequacy of their child's…

The focus of this special issue is mathematics education. All articles were written by graduates of the new masters Degree program in which students earn a Master of Arts degree in Education with a concentration in Mathematics Education at San Francisco State University. Articles include: (1) "Developing Teacher-Leaders in a Masters Degree Program…

A series of eight videoconferences was designed to help educational professionals improve schools by applying knowledge gained from research. During the videoconference programs, which are transmitted by satellite to facilities with receiving capacity, viewers can interact by telephone with the program presenters. Each program covers a specific…