An engineering professional argues that the graphing calculator is simply a pedagogical tool no more useful than the answer key in the mathematics text.

The Commentary salutes AMATYC for its significant contributions to standards-based education in mathematics and discusses possible audiences for Beyond Crossroads, in addition to the primary audience of faculty members and departments in two-year institutions. Because Beyond Crossroads focuses on lower division college mathematics, it helps…

Within the context of the developments in mathematics and computer science, this paper argues that the emergence of the microcomputer gives mathematics the opportunity to survive as a viable and healthy discipline. Section I traces the development of the computer and the position of established mathematics on the sidelines of this development.…

Definitions of computer science and computer literacy are discussed, with their implications for college instruction and job skills. Mathematics as a necessary condition for success in both is noted. (MNS)

Why the term precalculus was introduced is first noted. Then five reasons why it should be eliminated are given, focusing on the points that it is vague, misleading, and misused. (MNS)

Ralston proposes that the decrease in the importance of calculus in the world of mathematics is accelerating and the world of applied mathematics is changing rapidly. He briefly presents arguments for discrete mathematics. Then follow reactions from McLane, Wagner, Hilton, Woodriff, Kleitman, and Lax, and a response by Ralston. (MNS)

Reviews concerns with the current educational environment in higher education science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), such as the sheer size of the enterprise and the focus on research to the detriment of student learning. Calls for a visible and persistent national commitment to educational reform and renewal. (EV)

Discusses why science and mathematics should be a central part of liberal education. Also asserts that in addition to learning the habits of mind and forms of expression and inquiry of science and mathematics, students majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field should be expected to acquire the qualities of a…

Discusses mathematics education research at the college level, including the nature of the field, a brief history, theoretical perspectives, methodology, a potpourri of studies, implications for teaching, where research is published, and who does this research. (54 references) (MKR)

This article discusses factors that contribute to the difficulties that many postsecondary students with learning disabilities have in meeting the mathematics demands, including: characteristics of learning disabilities in math, inadequate preparation for postsecondary math demands, difficulties with assessment and identification, and…

Conference papers on the state of mathematics in the two-year college are presented. The papers are grouped according to main topic areas and each group of papers is followed by a summary of conference discussions. The topics addressed are: a case for curriculum change, technical mathematics, the influence of new technologies on mathematics…

This article was written in part to celebrate the anniversaries of landmark mathematical works by Newton and Descartes. It's other purpose is to dispel some myths about Sir Isaac Newton and to encourage readers to read Newton's works. (PK)

The author arranges 26 current states of mathematical knowledge (in relation to solving a problem) in an informal taxonomy and comments on them. (MNS)

Roberts discusses his perception that the college introductory curriculum in mathematics is outdated. Reactions are then presented from Lucas, Hamming, Tall, David, Ellis, Thompson, Mason, and Guy, with a response by Roberts. The need to change instructional methods as well as curriculum is noted by most. (MNS)

In this paper the notion of "procept" (in the sense of Gray & Tall, 1994) is extended to advanced mathematics by considering mathematical proof as "formal procept". The statement of a theorem as a symbol may theoretically evoke the proof deduction as a process that may contain sequential procedures and require the synthesis…