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)

Discusses how calculators and computers can assist in the teaching of the basic mathematical competencies. (YP)

Describes a study of high school students that examined gender differences in mathematics experience and attitudes as well as the association between math attitudes and computer attitudes. Results indicate a positive correlation between math experiences and attitudes and computer attitudes; and boys had more math experience and more positive…

Discusses a methods course for preservice mathematics teachers that addresses the affective side of learning mathematics. Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences in relation to themselves as learners, teachers, and mathematicians. (MDH)

Examines attitudinal variables (e.g., math anxiety, attitude toward success), locus of control, high school grade point average (HSGPA), and Scholastic Aptitude Test Quantitative (SATQ) scores as predictors of first-quarter grades in a developmental mathematics course. Reports that HSGPA, SATQ, and self-confidence were significant predictors of…

Discussion of equity in computer science education focuses on issues related to gender. Topics discussed include computers and society, including employment changes and the relationship of women to society; the relationship between mathematics anxiety and computer anxiety; instructional and curriculum design; evaluation equity; and computer…

Students that have high mathematics anxiety also have negative attitudes toward their potential success in mathematics. The focus of this paper is on changing attitudes towards mathematics, particularly those of arts majors. Suggestions for changing attitudes come out of an understanding of differing learning styles among students. Individuals…

The author's personal experiences in overcoming mathematics anxiety provide insights into how teachers can create a classroom environment to help students develop self-confidence by assessing students' feelings, using cooperative-learning techniques, showing more patience, and having students write about their experiences. (MDH)

A plenary address to an Australian conference on adult literacy focuses on cultural barriers to numeracy. Mathematics, and therefore numeracy, is considered as part of cultural knowledge. It is noted that over the last decade there has been a growing awareness of the cultural basis of mathematical knowledge and teachers can no longer assume that…

A systematic study is reported of the mathematical skills and learning abilities of new students immediately prior to entry into the Open University's (England) foundation courses in technology and social sciences. The intent was to provide predictive information about potential student entry skills for the team preparing a new technology…

Overcoming the education obstacles facing women, minorities, and the disabled is discussed. A report published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) on the topic of bringing underrepresented groups back on track for careers in science, math, and engineering is examined. (KR)

Adeptness in abstractions and analysis--the language of math--is at least as important as adeptness at reading words for individuals in business and industry. Mathematics literacy stimulates the problem-solving and critical thinking skills that the workplace now demands. A National Assessment of Educational Progress study found that about half of…

Confronts a widespread prejudice about mathematical knowledge, that mathematics is "culture-free," by demonstrating alternative constructions of Euclidean geometrical ideas developed from the culture of Mozambique. As well as establishing the educational power of these constructions, the article illustrates the methodology of…

Before educators can address mathematics anxiety, they must recognize its presence and identify the complex factors that sustain it. The article discusses social and motivational factors that make it more prevalent among females, examines classroom interactions related to math anxiety, notes the consequences of math anxiety, and discusses…

Women stand to lose a great deal in the information revolution if they fail to master computer technology. Presently they are taking little part in the computer field. In the future, access to jobs, information, and power will depend on computer knowledge and skills. Women will be pushed into lower status jobs or out of jobs altogether,…