School leaders employ various school-based actions to influence students' subject enrolments at senior secondary levels (Years 11 and 12), which in turn affect students' entrance into tertiary courses and career choices. In the context of reported declines in the proportion of students opting to study higher-level mathematics, this qualitative…

Issues arising in the transition from secondary school to tertiary mathematics study are increasingly coming under scrutiny. In this paper, we analyse two practical aspects of the school-tertiary interface: teaching style; and assessment. We present some of the findings arising from a 2-year national project in New Zealand titled "Analysing…

Presents a case study of one early childhood teacher education student's experiences of learning mathematics to understand the interaction of cognitive and affective factors in mathematics learning. Identifies issues of concern to both preservice teachers and teacher educators. (17 references) (Author/MKR)

Data from 404 university students (28% females; 72% males) enrolled in a discrete mathematics course were analyzed to explore gender differences. Concludes that differences associated with confidence, self-concept, test anxiety and quantitative ability, detrimental to women were overcome by increased assignment work and tutorial attendance to…

Recent immigrants to Australia from non-English-speaking countries have experienced difficulties in mathematics methods courses. Reports survey results on how these students perceive their problems and how they think courses could be adapted to meet their needs. (MDH)

Through interviews and questionnaires explores five mature students' approaches to learning statistics from the theoretical perspective of activity theory. Analyses socio-historical factors relating to students' self-regulation of their cognitive activities and interpretation of the contexts affecting their approaches. Appendices include…

Describes an investigation into the effects of introducing scientific software into the learning experience of a large and diverse first year university mathematics class on attitudes and learning. Confirms the affective potential of this kind of technology. (Contains 16 references.) (Author/ASK)