Drawing from recent literature and research, this paper provides an overview of the place of statistics in the two-year college curriculum. First, sources are cited in evidence of the strong support among educators for statistics as one of the most useful topics that can be taught. Next, research findings are presented showing that statistics…

Nearly 48 percent of the students in Developmental Studies Mathematics courses at a major southern university during the fall of 1983 had taken college preparatory mathematics courses in high school. Some had even taken trigonometry, pre-calculus, or calculus. Yet, they were placed in university developmental studies mathematics courses because…

The purpose of this paper was to identify the role of several person variables (gender, mathematics competency, attitudes toward statistics, computer competency, and grade point average) contributing to success in introductory statistics. The performance of 103 students on four examinations during a semester constituted the dependent variable. A…

Research supports the premise that various mathematical topics can be categorized as being performed better by the left or right brain hemisphere. Hemispheric lateralization is defined as a learner's preferred hemisphere of control. Torrence's "Human Information Processing Survey" was given to 170 black female college students enrolled in…

Statistics tend to become interesting to non-methodologists when taught in a research context that is relevant to them. Real data sets supplemented by sufficient background information can provide just such a context. Despite this, many textbook authors and instructors of applied statistics rely on artificial data sets to illustrate statistical…

This study assessed the effectiveness of the remedial/developmental mathematics program developed at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Data was gathered from a random sample of 604 students who participated in the program for at least part of the three-year period 1981-84 and for whom both pretest and posttest scores were available in at least one…

After discussing the objectives and challenges of mathematics courses for preservice elementary teachers, and their instructional implications, the author describes an experimental laboratory-based course. Achievement of those taking this course is compared with achievement in a lecture course. (SD)

Proposes a mathematical computer model for the behavior of liquids using the classical dynamic principles of Sir Isaac Newton and the molecular dynamics method invented by other scientists. Concludes that other applications will be successful using supercomputers to go beyond simple Newtonian physics. (CW)

The use of a synthetic division microcomputer program in searching for the zeros in polynomial functions is described. A program listing and outputs are included. (MNS)

Programs are listed for integer powers and fractional powers, with discussion of how to use them in instruction. (MNS)

Some concrete examples of the use of historical materials in developing certain topics from precalculus and calculus are presented. Ideas which can be introduced with a reformulated curriculum are discussed in five areas: algorithms, combinatorics, logarithms, trigonometry, and mathematical models. (MNS)

An activity with non-Euclidean geometry, a worksheet with a device based on geometric principles, and a diagram presenting a geometric view of the geometric series are each briefly presented. (MNS)

Provides a short list of integral triples for the design of problems employing unit fractions (so solutions will be positive integers). Also presents an algorithm whereby both primary and imprimitive sets of triples can be easily obtained and shows how to extend the algorithm to solve three-variate unit fraction equations. (JN)

Two models are presented that can be understood by students who have completed second-year algebra, as well as by calculus students. The predator-prey population model and the arms race model are included, with a computer program given for each. (MNS)

Correlations derived from this study indicate that undergraduate students' (N=24) and graduate students' (N=18) performance in statistical methods is not strongly influenced by their aptitude in computer science. One implication is that no computer science prerequisite is necessary for courses utilizing statistical packages. (JN)