This is a report on the hearing for solutions to the problems in science, mathematics, and engineering education at the postsecondary level. Topics of prepared statements and the testifiers are: (1) educating scientists and engineers (Daryl E. Chubin); (2) science and engineering education needs viewed from the perspectives of the national…

Mathematical word problems are notoriously difficult to solve for students at all grade levels. Performance deficiencies have been attributed to students lacking abstract logico-mathematical knowledge or to insufficiently developed language comprehension skills. At least four general sources of difficulty can be distinguished in mathematical word…

In 1984, the Ford Foundation initiated the Urban Mathematics Collaborative (UMC) project to contribute to the improvement of mathematics education in inner-city schools, and more generally, to enhance the professional life of teachers. By 1986, the Ford Foundation had funded collaboratives in 11 urban areas. This document describes the overall UMC…

This document contains the course syllabus and 12 independent practice modules for an introductory college algebra course designed to develop student proficiency in the basic algebraic skills. This is designed as the second of a two-semester sequence. Topics include performing operations with radicals and exponents; learning to solve equations;…

This document contains the course syllabus and 12 independent practice modules for a college pre-calculus designed as the first course in a two-semester sequence for students in a Bachelor of Technology program. The course emphasizes engineering technology applications and verbal problems. Topics include a review of elementary algebra; factoring…

This document asserts that mathematics is becoming essential to many more disciplines. The paper is an attempt to describe the sorts of curricular changes which many mathematics educators are now recommending. The paper discusses: (1) mathematical power; (2) mathematics instruction; (3) new research directions; (4) mathematical thinking and…

This study examined whether analogy or means-ends strategies (heuristics) would be used to solve geometric puzzle-like problems, which were generated by a microcomputer. The subjects in the two-group experiment were undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory psychology course at Potsdam College (New York). One group of subjects learned…

Deciding how to approach a word problem for solution is a critical stage of problem solving, and is the stage which frequently presents considerable difficulty for novices. Do novices use the same information that experts do in deciding that two problems would be solved similarly? This set of four studies indicates that novices rely more on…

The emphasis on writing in the teaching of mathematics and science can empower teachers to reach all sectors of the pupil population. The use of ordinary language can help break the cultural barriers that have prevented minorities and women from achieving well in proportionate numbers in these fields. This volume focuses on pedagogical issues of…

This study guide is part of an interdisciplinary curriculum entitled the Science and Engineering Technician (SET) Curriculum designed with the objective of training technicians in the use of electronic instruments and their applications. The curriculum integrates elements from the disciplines of chemistry, physics, mathematics, mechanical…

The major objective of this conference was the continuation of the exchange of information on the improvement of pre-service and inservice methods courses and other program offerings in mathematics education. Topics highlighted included the effects of state mandated programs for teacher preparation, the growing shortage of qualified mathematics…

For this study, nine mental factors were selected from Guilford's structure of intellect model, and eight interest factors identified from a factor analysis of the Thinking Interest Survey. These factors were then treated as dependent variables in the assessment of two methods of teaching algebra to 244 college students. Students were assigned to…

Listed are 212 citations of documents related to instructional procedures in science and mathematics education. The documents included represent research reports, research reviews, conference reports, position papers, textbooks, manuals, speeches, and other types. Citations are categorized in alphabetical order by author, and indicate source,…

Discusses some of the difficulties encountered by adult learners in mathematics courses required for re-entry into college. Describes the restructuring of such a course. Emphasizes student inquiry and a teaching/learning model. Discusses the roles of staff and students. (TW)

Presents several ways that the microcomputer can be used as an aid in teaching various topics in calculus, including graphing functions, solving equations, finding limits and derivatives, and solving optimization problems. Emphasizes the use of computer software that tends to maximize the potential of computer graphics in mathematics instruction.…