Forty-two studies comparing students with access to graphing calculators during instruction to students who did not have access to graphing calculators during instruction are the subject of this meta-analysis. The results on the achievement and attitude levels of students are presented. The studies evaluated cover middle and high school…

This report, prepared for and published by the Mathematical Association of America's Committee on the Teaching of Undergraduate Mathematics, includes a description of the state of the art on problem solving, lists available resources, and makes recommendations regarding the place of problem solving in the college curriculum and ways to teach it.…

Drawing from literature on research, innovative programs, and association positions, this paper provides an overview of two-year college mathematics curricula, instruction, and faculty. Introductory material places the discussion in the context of changes that have taken place in the community college over the past 20 years, highlighting increases…

Examines four major elements of a strong mathematics program (tracking, curriculum, student needs, and articulation), interpreting them as they pertain to community colleges. Discusses the role of two-year colleges in the mathematical preparation of future elementary school teachers and provides sample workplace-oriented math problems. (MAB)

Two books ("The Mathematical Experience" and "Mathematics Tomorrow") raise many issues about mathematics and education, including how mathematics education must be disciplined by focusing on the real world. Examined are ways the books take adequate account of the constraints present in problems they consider. (JN)

The mathematical sciences, based largely in academia, are crucial not only for the development of new knowledge but also as a needed resource in the education of our technological work force. As with other scientific professions, the challenge of meeting the growing need for workers in the face of shrinking supplies will require a program of…

Most undergraduate programs require completion of a mathematics course, but pass rates in these courses are often low. To determine predictors of student success in 100-level mathematics courses at the University of Southern Maine, we used a questionnaire to collect information on possible predictors of grade (student demographics, attitude,…

Studies whether students' stated preferences for flowcharts or pseudocodes match their actual behaviors. Provides a review of the literature on flowchart utility. Reports that students preferred flowcharts to pseudocodes. Lists an example of both a flowchart and pseudocode. (MVL)

In 1989, a study was conducted to examine basic mathematics programs in the California community colleges and to produce specific program recommendations for the mathematics curriculum at Saddleback College. The study involved a number of components, including: (1) a review of the literature on developmental education and basic mathematics…

This study involved a literature review aimed at identifying: some of the significant causes and correlates of mathematics anxiety, significant treatments of mathematics anxiety, and significant methods of prevention of mathematics anxiety. The annotated bibliography is structured under these three headings. Three categories of correlates of math…

The paper discusses the affective influences on students of problem solving instruction using computers, and the relationship of affective influences to student belief systems. It reviews affective issues and problem solving, and analyzes affect with particular reference to the work of G. Mandler. The paper considers types of congnitive processes,…

A review of recent major studies of two-year college developmental mathematics programs shows that there has been much experimentation in curricular offerings, course formats, and instructional approaches, including expanded content related to the students' major fields, and the use of short courses and mini-courses. However, while many…

This eighteenth annual listing of mathematics education research contains research summaries, articles, and dissertations listed alphabetically by author within each category. For each reference, the grade or age level is indicated. An index is included at the end to help readers locate studies on specified topics. (PK)

This paper gives results of a review of 41 high school, junior high school, and college algebra and mathematics textbooks. The review focuses on two facets of the curriculum: (1) the presentation of the concept of variable; and (2) word problems and the presentation of problem solving skills. With regard to the variable concept it was concluded…

The major objective of this conference was the continuation of the exchange of information on the improvement of pre-service and inservice methods courses and other program offerings in mathematics education. Topics highlighted included the effects of state mandated programs for teacher preparation, the growing shortage of qualified mathematics…