Recommending goals and standards to improve mathematics education at the two-year college and lower-division levels, this report focuses on core content themes for developmental mathematics, associate in applied science, and baccalaureate intending programs. Following introductory sections, chapter 2 describes the CORE, or common content themes…

This document promotes a better awareness of available technological tools, their implementation, and their advantages and applications in teaching and learning mathematics. Principles for successful implementation are: (1) computation should be an integral part of instruction; (2) software and curriculum development should go hand-in-hand; (3)…

Computer enhanced teaching of computational mathematics on a network system driving graphics terminals is being redeveloped for a mouse-driven, high resolution, windowed environment of a UNIX work station. Preservation of the features of networked access by heterogeneous terminals is provided by the use of the X Window environment. A dmonstrator…

Drawing from experience at Lansing Community College (LCC), this paper discusses how to best prepare students for success in a beginning algebra course. First, an overview is presented of LCC's developmental math sequence, which includes Basic Arithmetic (MTH 008), Pre-Algebra (MTH 009), Beginning Algebra (MTH 012), and Intermediate Algebra (MTH…

The hypothesis was tested that concrete operational subjects learn better from a laboratory-based concrete activity approach than would formal subjects. Four units of mathematics were studied over a 7-week period by 89 preservice elementary teachers divided into lecture and laboratory groups. A 2 by 2 design (treatment by cognitive level) was used…

Brief articles are included on exploring mathematical patterns, with two computer programs listed for finding happy numbers; a simple periodic function in trigonometry; and comments on humorous student errors. (MNS)

In this paper we report on two complementary research results. In the first we describe a tool that allows different modes of synchronous distance teaching of mathematics. In the second we report the preliminary results of a pilot study conducted using this tool to teach geometry, both with school students aged 14-15 and with undergraduate…

Recent contributions from theory, research, and practice in second-language instruction are discussed in relation to mathematics education. Three methods of teaching and learning second languages are described--"Delayed Oral Production," the "Silent Way," and the "Counseling Learning/Community Language Learning." (KR)

Compared are the survey responses on practices and perceptions on computer uses in classroom between a faculty group involved in changing 10 undergraduate courses in mathematics and science education (n=25) and a group of regular faculty (n=60). There were no significant differences between two groups except on the use of inquiry and guided…

Presents tasks from the topics of calculus, statistics, non-Euclidean geometry, and probability to illustrate effective college mathematics teaching. Discusses some obstacles to change in college-level mathematics teaching and strategies to overcome those obstacles. (MDH)

This study highlights two groups of students enrolled in a college mathematics of finance course using same textbook and instructor. Experimental group used menu-driven symbolic calculators, whereas control group used standard scientific calculators. Significant increases in favor of experimental group were found both with respect to students'…

Four techniques used to incorporate writing and active learning into mathematics classrooms are described. They include summary sheets, short focused writing, medium length writing, and student presentations. Examples of how each technique can be used are included. (KR)

Reports on the differences in two sections of a college course on differential equations. Results on a common examination showed that writing assignments substituted for traditional homework assignments did not improve test performance. However, survey results indicated that students felt the writing assignments, in lieu of additional homework,…

Presented is a scheduling algorithm that uses all the busses at each step for any rectangular array. Included are two lemmas, proofs, a theorem, the solution, and variations on this problem. (KR)

Mathematics educators have led the educational reform movement in recent years. New curricula and innovative teaching methods are emerging in elementary and secondary programs, as illustrated by the work of the College Board, University of Chicago, University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco, and the National Science Foundation. (MSE)