This book seeks to illustrate the research on mathematics competencies and disposition in China according to the conceptual development and empirical investigation perspective. Mathematics education in China has a distinguishing feature a focus of attention to mathematical competency. Paradoxically, there has not been an explicit, refined, and…

This guidance report focuses on the teaching of mathematics to pupils in Key Stages 2 and 3. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide to mathematics teaching. We have made recommendations where there are research findings that schools can use to make a significant difference to pupils' learning, and have focused on the questions that…

An experience in attempting to transform research into practice is described, with questions raised about the relationship between research and practice. The author begins by describing the two research traditions which exerted the most force on the design of the program. How the philosophy and findings of those traditions were interpreted and…

This study addresses three questions: (1) whether sex is related to ability and interest in computers; (2) whether a relationship exists between the presence of a computer in the home and a child's ability and interest in computing; and (3) the combination of factors that account for students' perceptions of success in developing programming…

Secondary teachers in a workshop on overcoming computer and math anxiety and students in a programming course were given measures of anxiety and achievement. Low mathematical ability and coursework were related to math and computer anxiety and negative attitudes. Attitudes improved for the teachers but not the students. (MNS)

Examined how preservice elementary teachers' (N=38) mathematical knowledge and mathematics anxiety affect their success in a mathematics methods course. Also examined the hypothesis that a mathematics methods course can reduce the mathematics anxiety of these teachers. One finding is that mathematics anxiety does not inhibit their learning of…

Examines teacher mathematics anxiety as it relates to changes in student mathematics anxiety and achievement, teaching practices, and teacher characteristics. The Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale was used for 31 teachers. Teacher mathematics anxiety correlated positively with whole-class instruction time and negatively with the number of students'…

Most mathematics anxiety has its roots in the teaching and teachers of mathematics. Because people generally are not math anxious before going to school, an examination of the previous statement proves to be well founded. This article reviews the literature and discusses different ways that teachers may help to prevent their students from becoming…

Described is a nonmajor mathematics course taught using computers and lab experiments. Included are the challenge, solution, description of the first class, problems, successes, the syllabus, student comments, and the conclusion. (KR)

Many students, and a particularly high proportion of females, do not study mathematics beyond minimum high school requirements. Research indicates that segregation of mathematics classes may help reduce the incidence of female students dropping out of that subject. To improve female students' attitudes toward mathematics and to increase the…

To improve female students' attitudes toward mathematics and to increase the enrollment of females in upper level mathematics courses, students enrolled in grade 10, 11, and 12 at A. Y. Jackson Secondary School were placed in sex-segregated math classes. This study focused on four main areas: attitudes, achievement, enrollment, and perceptions of…

One of the strengths of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) is that it gives mathematicians and mathematics educators the opportunity to exchange and contribute to each other's professional growth. The topic for this 1985 yearbook, the first of a proposed ongoing series, has been chosen to coincide with the annual PCTM…

This issue of "Investigations in Mathematics Education" contains: (1) 12 abstracts of research studies in mathematics education; (2) a list (by EJ number) of mathematics education research studies reported in the July-to-December 1984 issues of "Current Index to Journals in Education" (CIJE); and (3) a list (by ED number) of…

An editorial comment on the computer and the mathematics educator is included first. Then, abstracts and comments are presented for 11 articles. Studies included focus on mental addition, problem solving by sixth graders, mathematics anxiety, tutoring, direct instruction, a bilingual program, thinking strategies for multiplication basic facts,…

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…