Describes a remedial college course in intermediate algebra designed to improve student success rate. Suggests that the course was easy and inexpensive to implement and required a minimum of reorganization. (PK)

Investigated women's (N=35) aptitude for and changes in skills during an engineering training program and the relationship between academic/demographic information and cognitive skills to success in the program. Compares results with those of studies of male undergraduates. Includes results of mathematics anxiety and conservation of horizontality…

Investigated superiority of instructional strategies (factor-label method, proportionality, use of analogies, use of diagrams) in teaching problem-solving related to mole concept, gas laws, stoichiometry, and molarity. Also investigated effectiveness of strategies for students (N=609) with different verbal-visual preferences, proportional…

Describes an evaluation of the mathematical skills and learning capabilities of students immediately prior to taking Open University foundation courses in technology, the design of questionnaires used in the surveys, and strategies for designing instructional materials for students with a weak preparation in mathematics and technology. (EAO)

Describes the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale for Adolescents (MARS-A). Discusses psychometric data that relate to reliability and construct validity of the MARS-A scale. Results showed the association between high mathematics anxiety scale scores and low grade average in mathematics courses reported on two samples of students. (Author/JAC)

College students (n=204) who had difficulties in both foreign language and math (FLD/MD), only math difficulties, or only foreign language difficulties (FLD) were studied. The students with FLD showed a pattern of deficits on subtests measuring grammar and spelling, long-term memory, and visual phonology. More males were referred for FLD.…

Describes study that was conducted to determine whether instruction in computer programing using Logo would be more effective than other activities in decreasing mathematics anxiety scores among eighth grade students. Treatment of experimental and control groups is explained, implications for teachers are discussed, and future research is…

Stimulated recall was used to examine the affective experiences of (n=32) fourth and fifth graders engaged in mathematics seatwork. Students' affect was found to be primarily negative and achievement related. Anger was the most prevalent affective response. (42 references) (MKR)

Discusses factors identified by graduate students in elementary education as impairing their mathematics learning or contributing to a negative attitude toward mathematics. Presents key questions to provide insight into a math instructor's focus on teaching style. Provides an example of mathematics instruction in a meaningful context, and tips for…

The relation between learning environment (perceptions of classroom goal structure and teachers' instructional discourse) and students' reported use of avoidance strategies (self-handicapping, avoidance of help seeking) and preference to avoid novelty in mathematics was examined. High incidence of motivational support was uniquely characteristic…

Poor performance in mathematics among students, at a variety of grade levels, has been attributed, in part, to mathematics anxiety (Bulmahn & Young, 1982; Kelly & Tomhave, 1985; Hadfield & McNeil, 1994). Some investigators have related this phenomenon to gender effects (Cooper & Robinson, 1989) mathematics self-concept and test anxiety (Bandalos…

Presented is a general overview of mathematics anxiety, its definition, and techniques to measure it. Included are a brief discussion of gender-related issues and an analysis of research on effects of mathematics anxiety on elementary teachers. Contained are some intervention strategies and treatments, conclusions and implications for further…

Discussion of need for improved mathematics education of preservice teachers focuses on a model program, the Mathematics Fitness Project, that includes a computer-generated testing system, management system, and remediation system. Use of the system to improve mathematics skills and attitudes of college students and post high school adults is…

Research on learner's beliefs are summarized in the areas of beliefs about mathematics as a discipline, beliefs about learning mathematics, beliefs about mathematics teaching, and beliefs about self within a social context in which mathematics teaching and learning are occurring. (PK)

The revised 20-item Aiken-Dreger Mathematics Attitude Scale was administered to 2538 urban minority students in grades 8 to 10. Results supported the existence of two underlying factors, enjoyment and fear. (GDC)