A delegation of 22 mathematics educators sponsored by the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics visited Japan September 23-October 11, 1988. The group included teachers from elementary through university levels. The group visited 16 schools, 2 teacher training colleges, a scientific university, and 2 juku schools in the four major population…

A course of study was researched, designed, and implemented by the writer to learn mathematics apprehensions of fifth grade students. The primary goal was to reduce mathematics apprehension through positive mathematics experiences at home as well as in school. The objectives of the program were to develop a more positive feeling about mathematics…

This document is the third of three related volumes. They present the rationale, background, and framework for a comprehensive monitoring system being developed for the National Science Foundation. The system is being designed to gather information about the effects of national, state, and local policy actions designed to change the teaching and…

The usage and availability of calculators, computers, and related instructional materials are presented. This publication is a Know-Pak, a summary of materials and articles that is part of a series of information packets developed by the Oregon Department of Education. Topics covered include: (1) a forecast of a computer literacy crisis in…

Experimental educational programs emphasizing individualized instruction and motivation were conducted with classes from kindergarten through grade 6. Projects analyzed individualization and motivational procedures in mathematics, individualization in handwriting and spelling, instructional procedures in language arts for disadvantaged children,…

An individualized motivation system was used to increase the performance of three students using a computerized number facts program. Previous research on number facts suggested that performance increments might occur through massive practice and/or changes in processing ability. In this study, points exchangeable for extra gym time were…

Contends that the state of mathematics education is a crucial predictor of future national strength in science and technology and economic competitiveness. Compares the level of mathematics achievement of the United States with other countries. Advocates a national commitment for improvement and includes specific recommendations. (ML)

Describes study designed to investigate the effectiveness of personalizing verbal math problems on division of fractions for fifth and sixth grades using microcomputer-generated lessons. Treatment and control group results are analyzed, and results support the hypothesis that the personalized context group was superior in problem solving and had…

Suggests that a solution to the problem of expensive educational software may be found in public domain software. Included are a definition of public domain software, a discussion of the kinds of software that are in the public domain, ways to obtain such software, and a list of some examples. (PK)

Provides a rationale and overview of the content of the working draft of the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics, developed by the National Council of Teachers of Matematics. (PK)

Presents reviews of the four software packages "Blockers and Finders,""Decimal Squares Computer Programs: Decimal Concepts, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, and a Data Disk,""Number Stumper," and "Object Logo, Version 1.5." The software packages include problem-solving activities and drill and practice programs. (PK)

Despite suggestions for incorporating students' experiences into school math lessons, mathematics education seems to be the last bastion of formalism. This paper reports on a sociocultural study of the use of students' personal experiences in early childhood elementary mathematics lessons. This study documents the use of students' personal…

Five classroom situations in Japanese elementary schools are described and interpreted from perspective of first four standards in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Curriculum and Evaluation Standards. Concludes that Japanese children do so well in mathematics because Japanese teachers embody essence of the standards in…

Reviews four software packages: "Scientific Reasoning Series: Batteries and Bulbs," dialogue-type software for physics; "More Teasers from Tobbs: Fractions and Decimals"; "Personal Consultant Plus," an expert system software package; and "How the West Was One + Three X Four," problem-solving software using…

Shows how a manipulative device for taking attendance can be used to exercise mathematical thinking processes in a variety of contexts at different elementary school grade levels. Suggests activities using a magnetic attendance board for gathering classroom information; developing number, estimation, and graphing concepts; forming and verifying…