Previous work has identified four areas of difficulty that students seem to have with the topic of similarity: (1) understanding the definition of similarity; (2) proportional reasoning; (3) dimensional growth relationships; and (4) correspondences in right triangle similarity. This paper reports the results of an investigation into high school…

Provided is an analysis of Turtle Geometry using van Hiele levels of development and understanding. The author also relates a language use framework, suggested by the work of Fry (1982), to the language activities of Turtle Geometry. Research supporting the analysis is discussed. (RH)

This volume contains the full text of 2 plenary papers and 26 research reports. In addition, brief, usually one-page, reports are provided for 6 discussion groups, 10 technology focus groups, 7 symposiums, 7 oral presentations, and 17 position sessions. The two full plenary reports are: (1) "Problems of Reification: Representations and…

The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the difficulties met by adults with lower levels of education on reading perspective drawings. Subjects were asked to describe verbally two perspective drawings of objects, then choose objects with defined spatial properties. Results indicated that success was an "all or…

Secondary geometry students were tested for van Hiele level of thinking, geometry knowledge and achievement, and proof-writing achievement. Proof-writing achievement correlated significantly with van Hiele level entering geometry knowledge and geometry achievement. The predictive validity of the van Hiele model was supported. (Author/DC)

Presented is an alternative method for analyzing the van Hiele level of students' geometrical reasoning. The accuracy of students' answers may afford a description of acquisition and/or expertise for each of the van Hiele levels simultaneously rather than the traditional assignment and evaluation of one level at a time. (JJK)

Explores the relationship between high school students' beliefs about mathematics and their mathematical performance. Reports: (1) the students' attributions of success or failure; (2) perceptions of mathematics; (3) comparative views of school mathematics, English and social studies; (4) motivation; and (5) personal performance. A questionnaire…

This is the final report of a year-long research project on the implementation of a guided inquiry approach using the Geometric Supposer, a microcomputer software series, to teach high school geometry in three Boston area suburbs during the 1985-1986 school year. The project assessed student learning and examined the many and varied issues…

This publication provides suggested learner outcomes for guiding instruction and evaluation of students in grades 9-12 in Oklahoma. The goals are intended to provide teachers, administrators, school boards, parents, and other concerned citizens with a clear understanding of expected minimum learner outcomes for each mathematics course. Teachers…

Some research indicates that students often think that their drawings of three dimensional objects can be done without ambiguity, and that properties of drawings are properties of the objects. This "knowing vs. seeing" conflict was studied in three French sixth grade classes. (PK)

Presented is an annotated list of 24 references on the LOGO programing language. The information provided is intended for classroom teachers and for researchers. Topics include use of the language in classroom situations, evaluation of a LOGO training program, the educational utility of LOGO, and others. (JN)

Described is a computer algorithm for obtaining the coordinates of vertices, chord factors, and dihedral angles for plotting orthographic and axonometric projections, and for tabulating chord lengths and dihedral angles. (Author)

Graphical representations of geometrical objects from high school textbooks are categorized according to the implicit conventions underlying their display. The fact that specific illustrations can lead to students' misconceptions about geometric objects is analyzed in relationship to the principle of parallel projection with implications for the…

This paper is an attempt to draw on the thinking of a group of secondary school geometry teachers who are participants in the Laboratory Sites Study of the Educational Technology Center (ETC) at Harvard University. The purpose of the Lab Sites Study is to understand the process of implementing technology-enhanced guided exploration in school…

The ability of tenth grade plane geometry students to structure concepts and relationships from a geometry unit on ratio, proportion and similarity was tested. Analysis of cognitive "maps" of the structural relationships possessed by twenty concrete and twenty formal subjects indicated that formal operational subjects structure subject…