This study examined Advanced Placement Calculus students' mathematical understanding of rate of change, after studying four years of college preparatory (integrated or single-subject) mathematics. Students completed the Precalculus Concept Assessment (PCA) and two open-ended tasks with questions about rates of change. After adjusting for prior…

Begins with a definition of mental computation and then provides an overview of its evolution during the twentieth century. Significant benefits from teaching mental computation are highlighted, along with a framework and guidelines for instructing elementary school students. A parallel discussion is also provided for computational estimation. (RH)

This article calls attention to testing as an integral part of teaching mental computation. It begins with an overview of students' performance and is followed by some specific suggestions for testing mental computation skills in the classroom. (Author)

This book, written by participants of a joint Japan-United States seminar, drawing upon years of classroom and research experience, examines how computation applies in basic and far-reaching ways, starting in early childhood and continuing throughout individuals' lives. The book presents both the Japanese and American views of computational…

Assessed attitude, computational preferences, and mental computational performance of 176, 187, 186, and 206 Japanese students in grades 2, 4, 6, and 8, respectively. Found wide ranges of performance on mental computation, that visual modes of presentation increased performance levels, and a narrow range of strategies. Contains assessments. (37…

This report summarizes a project to develop computational estimation materials for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. In chapter 1, the need for estimation skills is discussed and the goals of the project are stated: to develop a carefully sequenced set of lessons, activities, and maintenance work on estimation with whole numbers, fractions,…

Presents two different research tests for teachers to conduct in their classrooms to gain insight into their students' number sense. Provides test results from Taiwan for comparison. (ASK)

Reviews research on computational estimation and curricular and instructional issues, characterizes computational estimation and distinguishes it from other types of estimation, summarizes the generally low levels of student performance on estimation across several cultures, and identifies difficulties inherent in assessing computational…

The amount and placement of instructional time devoted to various types of computation are crucial. Reviews messages regarding what and how computation should be developed in elementary school mathematics and offers a proposal for a K-8 computation curriculum. (ASK)

Discusses the implementation of teaching estimation as portrayed in the NCTM Standards. Presents two instructional examples. (YP)

Results of a study conducted to gather information about calculator usage in Missouri schools are given. (MK)

Provides information on the number sense of Taiwanese students in grades six and eight. Indicates that student performance on questions requiring written computation was significantly better than on similar questions relying on number sense. Supports the need to look beyond correct answers when computational test results are reported. Contains 29…

Computational strategies and estimating abilities of 466 Japanese students were tested and interviews with a subsample of that group were used to compare with a theoretical model based on a sample from the United States. Results of the comparison of computational and estimating abilities are presented. (CW)

These instructional materials were produced as part of the project, Developing Computational Estimation Materials for the Middle Grades. The introduction to these sixth grade materials covers the following: why teach estimation; how the materials were developed; and how the lessons are organized. The 15 lessons that follow are designed to teach…

These instructional materials were produced as part of the project, Developing Computational Estimation Materials for the Middle Grades. The introduction to these seventh grade materials covers the following: why teach estimation; how the materials were developed; and how the lessons are organized. The 15 lessons that follow are designed to teach…