Efforts to measure teacher self-efficacy beliefs have built upon the theories of Albert Bandura. Continuing in that vein, the purpose of this study was to develop a measure that assesses teachers' efficacy and expectancy beliefs regarding teaching mathematics with an emphasis on conceptual understanding and mathematical practices, and to use this…

Mathematics and science are important for success in school, but learning mathematics and science can be a difficult task to some students. Efforts to improve students' learning of school mathematics and science have led to reform efforts in curriculum and instruction over the past decades (e.g., National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM],…

The introduction of prime numbers in the intermediate grades should be handled with care or the concept will appear arbitrary, artificial, and unreal to the pupils. The approach suggested here is in the form of a game-like activity. A knowledge of multiplication and factors is a prerequisite. (BB)

The authors propose that electronic calculators can be perceived as function generators rather than mere computational aids and can be used to investigate function concepts such as domain, range, composition, inverse, correspondence and so on. (MN)

Promotes the use of computers in teaching not only to solve problems but also to help students be better at analyzing problems and developing procedures for their solution. Outlines several problems where a computer-assisted analysis can help give students a thorough understanding of the topic. (TW)

Discusses use of microcomputers to assist teachers in diagnosing student errors. Examines what can be diagnosed, whether diagnosis helps, what diagnosis programs can do, what goes into a diagnosis program, and how the programs can be used. Suggests that software be developed for this purpose. (JN)

Current practices in teaching about distributivity of multiplication over addition and subtraction are reviewed. Then a study is described in which two inventories were administered to 83 eighth-grade students; scores were low. Suggestions for teaching distributivity are presented. (MNS)

Almost two-thirds of the eighth graders and preservice elementary teachers tested said that gardens with the same perimeter had the same area. Suggestions for teaching area are given. (MNS)

Language arts (oral and written communication), physical education (communication with motor skills), and mathematics (communication with words and symbols), are seen to present the most natural environment for instruction on spatial relations. Activities are suggested which can combine these areas and provide pupils with an enjoyable learning…

Describes techniques intended to provide the teacher (or student) with insights to the solution of the problems of constructibility of squares of area c and determination of the numbers of squares, and a method for the construction of constructible integers of area c. (DS)

Investigated was student inability to understand mathematics across concepts, focusing on the processes by which students solve problems. In-depth clinical interviews were used with students during ninth-grade general mathematics. Mathematical abilities investigated were information gathering, generalization, reversibility, flexibility, and…

A collection of calculator activities designed for lower level mathematics students is presented. The calculator is viewed as a tool to provide unmotivated or unskilled pupils with the opportunity to explore mathematical ideas successfully. (MP)

A model is offered for evaluating student attainment of mathematical concepts. The use of this model by teachers and researchers is discussed. (DT)

Presents examples of how students can create drawings of sets of lines whose envelopes are parabolas, cardioids, epicycloids, or hypocycloids. Provides students with experience in problem solving, reasoning, communication, and connections between numbers and geometry, between mathematics and art, and between mathematics and other applications.…

Discusses the need for curricular and instructional integration of science and mathematics. Describes some reports supporting integration and some curriculum projects that include integration. (YP)