I found the need to explore the difficulties faced by Arabic-speaking English language learners studying mathematics as soon as I moved to the United Arab Emirates. Thus, I began a line of research that aimed to explain and understand these issues and find effective teaching strategies for the students. This case study describes the first research…

There is much debate on the merits and pitfalls of standardized tests for college admission, with questions regarding the format (multiple-choice versus constructed response), cognitive complexity, and content of these assessments (achievement versus aptitude) at the forefront of the discussion. This study addressed these questions by…

Sophisticated simulations using computer graphics can lead to students deducing virtually all conditions of the Central Limit Theorem. Eight graphs illustrate the discussion. (MNS)

A printout is presented from a database that contains information about microcomputer software which supports instruction in college mathematics. The listing is arranged alphabetically by course; source and price are indicated, with a list of publishers included. (MNS)

A hypothetical classroom discussion is used to present concepts and problems students can master. Three computer programs are listed for binomial probabilities. (MNS)

An unusual shape is considered, and properties and steps in drawing it are detailed. The focus is on development and presentation of a computer program that will draw the curve. The program is written in BASIC with special plotting commands for a Techtronix computer, but is adaptable to other systems. (MP)

A method of using microcomputers to teach polar coordinates and graphing is described. Two computer programs plus illustrations are included. (MNS)

Almost-Regular Polygons (ARPs) are viewed as interesting, but hardly ever noticed. The growing availability of computers means that such figures can be examined. A program written in BASIC which was developed to generate and test large blocks of cases is presented and described. (MP)

A brief introduction to the broad field of curve-fitting is provided to help explain the reasoning behind least-squares data fitting, and also to provide useful equations for two functional forms of interest in chemistry. Appendices give program examples written in Fortran and detail the method of Guggenheim. (MP)

Numerical inaccuracies, which occur in many ordinary computations, can create serious problems and render answers meaningless. Cancellation and accumulation errors are described, and suggestions for experimentation are discussed. (MNS)

Programs are listed for integer powers and fractional powers, with discussion of how to use them in instruction. (MNS)

Differences in computer languages are noted. Symbol-based languages offer some distinct advantages over number-based languages, both in the form and the content of the student's interaction with the computer. Some of these advantages are explored and their applications to teaching mathematics described. (MNS)