Addresses the problems involved in meeting diverse student needs within the classroom. Encourages the use of computer-managed education (CME) to facilitate the record-keeping and decision-making involved in instruction. Explains the use of a CME system in Seattle Community College's mathematics laboratory. Concludes that CME increases…

Examines the history of the mathematics placement testing program used at the University of Houston Downtown Campus to screen entering students at registration. Discusses the remedial algebra courses required of students who do not pass the exam and analyzes the effectiveness of the program in reducing failure and attrition rates. (JP)

The cross-product is a mathematical operation that is performed between two 3-dimensional vectors. The result is a vector that is orthogonal or perpendicular to both of them. Learning about this for the first time while taking Calculus-III, the class was taught that if AxB = AxC, it does not necessarily follow that B = C. This seemed baffling. The…

In this paper the author argues against the necessity, and even the desirability, of requiring that two-year college teachers have doctoral degrees. (SD)

Arguing that a major re-thinking of the mathematics curriculum is needed, this paper urges two-year colleges to take the lead in curriculum revision. Section I suggests that the pre-calculus orientation of high school mathematics may be inappropriate, viewing mathematics related to computers and dependent on computers for computation as more…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of required remedial arithmetic courses in three community colleges. Student improvement in arithmetic skills and attitude towards mathematics were measured by pre- and post-course scores on the SCAT and the Rabinowitz Mathematics Attitude Scale. A total of 884 students was involved. It…

An instructional program package for individualized learning of calculus is outlined. The program utilizes audio-visual and other instructional techniques and includes topics in limits and continuity, the derivative with applications, and the integral with applications. (MN)

Presented is a general description of the remedial mathematics programs in the City University of New York institutions. (DT)

Three strategies were used to teach 39 community college students about partition of a set.'' Mean achievement of the Exemplification group on the exemplification test was significantly greater than the average of the means of the Characterization-followed-by-exemplification group and the Characterization-preceded-and-followed-by-exemplification…

Describes the objectives and format of a mathematics course offered at Carl Sandburg Community College (IL) which supplements classroom experiences with laboratory experiments. Enumerates the educational benefits of the laboratory approach and discusses the students' evaluation of the course and its format. (AYC)

Describes the Math Learning Center at Palm Beach Junior College which offers 21 courses of study, including all math courses through trigonometry and 11 general education math courses. Examines the implementation process and various program features. (DR)

Describes a study that sought to identify which remedial programs are most effective in community colleges. Reports that five college classrooms were visited at various times to observe teaching methods and class attendance. Concludes that one mode of instruction is not a panacea for all students and that colleges should offer at least two modes…

In 1750, the Swiss mathematician Gabriel Cramer published a well-written algebra book entitled "Introduction a l'Analyse des Lignes Courbes Algebriques." In the appendix to this book, Cramer gave, without proof, the rule named after him for solving a linear system of equations using determinants (Kosinki, 2001). Since then several derivations of…

The mathematical reasons that we cannot divide by zero are not easy for most students to understand; in fact, even those students who have more than just a basic understanding of algebraic concepts still have difficulty. This is most problematic for college students who are prospective teachers since they need to develop a deep understanding of…

One reason students give for attending a community college is that the mathematics requirements appear to be less rigorous. Many of the author's students have told her that they have chosen to seek an associate's degree first because they do not feel confident that they could successfully complete the mathematics requirement at a four-year…