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Eric.ed.gov – Function Plotters for Secondary Math Teachers. A MicroSIFT Quarterly Report.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This report examines mathematical graphing utilities or function plotters for use in introductory algebra classes of more advanced courses. Each product selected for inclusion in this report is able to construct the graph of a given equation on the screen and serves as a utility which may be used by the student for an open-ended exploration of a mathematical concept or by the teacher as a demonstration tool. The products are classified into one of the following types: (1) general purpose graphing utilities; (2) demonstration tools; and (3) special utility programs. In general it was felt that the positive aspects of function plotters far outweigh the negative. The ability to automate the tedious process of plotting the graph of an equation enables students to examine more equations… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Motivating American Indian Students in Science and Math. ERIC Digest.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The digest summarizes major characteristics of American Indian student needs in the disciplines of science and math and offers constructive ways in which students may be motivated for greater achievement. Motivational, attitudinal, and behavioral factors contributing to avoidance of science and math by American Indian students are identified: conflicts between home and school regarding the purpose/importance of school; movement away from lessons in context and interdisciplinary approaches toward more structured and linear approaches in junior high; and a social organization of lesson presentation which is less group oriented and more authoritarian. Characteristics of American Indian students’ learning styles which may affect science and math motivation are outlined: seeing and listening, practicality, caution, and field sensitive orientation. Suggestions for teaching science and math as creative processes and cultural… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Learning To Teach Math Differently: The Effect of “Investigations” Curriculum on Teachers’ Attitudes and Practices.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: A number of initiatives have been successful in helping teachers change their knowledge and practices in teaching mathematics. This paper reports on the results of a reform effort using curriculum materials as a vehicle for change. The professional development program called “Insights and Investigations” incorporated four types of professional development experiences. Teachers met monthly in grade-level sessions with one of three mathematics educators on the Delaware SSI/PRoject 21 staff in order to get collegial support and encouragement as they implemented “Investigations” in their classrooms. According to the teacher participants, the combination of utilizing “Investigations” curriculum units in the classroom, having the opportunity to do “Investigations” with their colleagues before teaching it in the classroom, reflecting on their teaching and on student learning through written reflections and discussions,… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – From 1 to Z: Integrating Math and Language Learning.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Techniques for integrating English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction and mathematics instruction, particularly the language of mathematics, are discussed. Focus here is on mathematics instruction for limited-English-speaking students in the mainstream classroom. First, examples of the academic language of mathematics that students must develop are outlined. Some instructional techniques that incorporate students’ own language and background in the construction of mathematics concepts and formal mathematics register are then offered. These include: techniques to make mathematics lessons more comprehensible and ways to promote interaction and provide a classroom environment conducive to language and literacy acquisition; methods for maintaining high expectations for language minority students and helping them develop higher-order cognitive and metacognitive skills and strategies; and assessment of language development alongside conceptual knowledge. A concluding discussion looks at the roles of… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – WWC Review of the Report “Longitudinal Evaluation of a Scale-up Model for Teaching Mathematics with Trajectories and Technologies.” What Works Clearinghouse Single Study Review

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The 2012 study, “Longitudinal Evaluation of a Scale-Up Model for Teaching Mathematics with Trajectories and Technologies,” examined the effects of “Technology-enhanced, Research-based, Instruction, Assessment, and professional Development (TRIAD),” a math intervention for preschoolers that combines a curriculum, a software-based teaching tool, and in-person teacher professional development. “TRIAD” is designed for young children, particularly those at risk of low math achievement. The study also included an assessment of whether continuing the intervention through kindergarten improved math achievement at the end of kindergarten. To measure these effects, two versions of the intervention were delivered: (a) “TRIAD” no follow-through (“TRIAD-NFT”), where children only received “TRIAD” in preschool; and (b) “TRIAD” follow-through (“TRIAD-FT”), where children received “TRIAD” in both preschool and kindergarten. Forty-two schools from Buffalo, NY, and Boston, MA were… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Vermont Teachers’ Understanding of Mathematical Problem Solving and “Good” Math Problems.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: For the past five years, Vermont has been developing an innovative statewide assessment system in which portfolios of student work in mathematics and writing are a key element. The use of mathematics portfolios, particularly in elementary school, is a novel aspect of the assessment system. This study examines the elementary school mathematics portfolio assessment and its instructional impact by exploring the conceptions of problem solving, the knowledge of problem-solving strategies, the evaluation of problem-solving tasks, and the instructional practices of 20 fourth-grade teachers. Teachers indicated that the portfolio assessment program has enhanced their understanding of mathematical problem solving and broadened their instructional practices, but that they have encountered difficulty in understanding certain components of the reform and making the relevant changes. Teachers did not share a common… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Adapting Classwide Instruction for Student Diversity in Math.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This paper reports the findings of a study that assessed the effect of two classwide instructional grouping adaptation strategies on the math performance of English-language Latino learners in an urban public school in the Southwestern United States. An ABAB within-case design was implemented over a 12-week period to contrast the effectiveness of these adaptation strategies on the math performance of 19 low-, average-, and high-achieving first grade Latino students (ages 6-8). All instruction was conducted in Spanish, with the exception of 35 minutes in which students received English-as-a-Second-Language instruction. In Phase A, students worked independently in small heterogeneous groups of 4-5 high-, average-, and low-achieving students. In Phase B, peer tutoring was used following a teacher-led instruction. Dyads included students with different performance levels; students in each… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Interest-Based Curriculum for House Care Services: Math.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The interest-based curriculum materials are designed to correlate the subjects of English, math, science, and home economics in an effort to infuse academic skills into the world of work. The curriculum guide is designed for mathematics curriculum and is divided into 11 sections: orientation, whole numbers, common fractions, decimal fractions, percents, units of measure and measurement, the metric system, ratio and proportion, introduction to algebra and geometry, and personal business. The learning activities include: class work, inquiry team approach, discussion, displays, lectures, filmstrips, tests, and personal banking and tax procedures and forms. A bibliography completes the document. Each section is organized around objectives, activities, evaluative material (teacher and student), and instructional materials. (JB) Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Math Network Curriculum Project. Project Summary; Final Report.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This document summarizes the work of the Math Curriculum Project at San Francisco State University. The project developed seven curriculum units for the middle school mathematics program, using microcomputers as a problem solving tool to foster mathematical thinking and develop insights into mathematical concepts. They also created a prototype telephone network that is both a message system and a curricular data base for activities in each unit. Finally, they developed a teacher training model from their experiences in piloting the materials. The report describes the objectives, methods and procedures, outcomes, and dissemination activities of the project. An overview of the units, a network manager manual, a message system user manual, and a list of talks about the project are appended. (MNS) Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Facing Equity: Facing Ourselves. Weaving Gender Equity into Math Reform.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This article discusses the issue of defining and facing equity elementary mathematics classrooms. It is argued that teachers have difficulty facing the fact of inequity in classrooms and that a deep conversation about equity is often avoided because many people are uncomfortable with disagreement. Two strategies for promoting in-depth dialogue about equity are presented. It is concluded that educators must confront their personal beliefs and examine how they are affecting students’ lives and student performance. (MM) Link til kilde