This article reports on initial findings, including the mathematics components, of a multi-institutional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) project, "It's part of my life: Engaging university and community to enhance science and mathematics education." This project is focussed on improving the scientific and…

There has been a steady decline in the number of secondary and tertiary students studying mathematics and science. Rural schools also report a shortage of qualified teachers in these disciplines. This paper describes the steps taken at the University of New England (UNE) to improve the provision of mathematics and science education (MS) in rural…

In this study we investigate the conceptions of mathematics bridging courses held by students enrolled in these courses at a major Australian university. We report on the participants' responses to email-interview questions about the mathematics bridging courses to describe a two-dimensional outcome space of variations in awareness about the…

Teaching and learning of mathematics is challenging when lecturer and students are separated geographically. While student engagement and interaction with the course, with other students and with the lecturer is vital to mathematics learning, it is difficult to facilitate this electronically, because of the nature of mathematics. With tablet…

Student engagement at first-year level is critical for student achievement, retention and success. One way of increasing student engagement is to use a classroom response system (CRS), the use of which has been associated with positive educational outcomes by fostering student engagement and by allowing immediate feedback to both students and…

Women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas in university settings; however this may be the result of attitude rather than aptitude. There is widespread agreement that quantitative problem-solving is essential for graduate competence and preparedness in science and other STEM subjects. The research…

An increasing number of Australian students elect not to undertake studies in mathematical methods in the final years of their secondary schooling. Some higher education providers now offer pathways for these students to pursue mathematics studies up to a major specialization within the bachelor of science programme. This article analyses the…

This study details the establishment of a teacher/learner laboratory at Monash University in Australia and the information it yielded about the learning and teaching of mathematics. Both instructors and learners understood they were cooperating to help develop an understanding of difficulties in learning and teaching strategies and ways to reduce…

This study took place among undergraduates enrolled in first-year university courses and graduates enrolled in teacher-training courses. The test used is presented in full. Results indicated that misconceptions received in secondary-level courses tend to remain and factors relating to presenting and learning mathematics dominate all other…

Programs in applied mathematics have been developed with emphasis on application of mathematics to business, economics, and planning. (SD)

Describes management, evaluation, and advantages of a Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) approach with third-year students in engineering mathematics. (JN)

Data on the mathematics education preservice preparation was obtained from questionnaires sent in October 1978 to 85 institutions involved in the education of primary school teachers. Nine major recommendations for change are listed at the report's conclusion. (MP)

Discusses the use of computers in undergraduate mathematics. Highlights include external software, including spreadsheets and theorem provers; computer generated assessment; multimedia software; computer programming languages; geometric visualization tools; computer algebra systems; and examples from the United States, the United Kingdom, and…

A Queensland University (Australia) action research project to help foreign students develop skills in the language of mathematics and adjust to the university environment is described. Student, teacher, and observer diary entries indicate students became aware of their language and cultural adjustment needs and made some progress in this…

Most Aboriginal people in Australia lack the background qualifications to enter higher education courses in science and mathematics. In 1984, the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) (now Curtin University of Technology) developed a project which created and evaluated bridging courses for Aboriginal people seeking to gain access into…