A teacher-researcher searched for and defined theoretical principles in the literature that could be used as a basis for teaching high-school students who were struggling in mathematics (in a regular-level mathematics classroom) and could offer a framework to design tasks to encourage a problem-solving, thinking classroom. After identifying 13…

Many mathematics students require support for learning challenges, such as those invoked by mathematics anxiety. Support for these learning challenges is imparted through personal interactions between the student and the instructor, support staff or their peers. The online delivery of mathematics classes and support meetings reduced the quality of…

This study investigates the participation and knowledge growth of children with mathematical difficulties as they work in groups with their classmates on a year-long sequence of modelling tasks. It involves observations of a class of 23 fifth graders, 9 of whom were identified as having difficulties in mathematics. All the students worked for 8…

The aim of this study was to examine prospective mathematics teachers' proof processes for algebraic concepts. The study was conducted with 10 prospective teachers who were studying at the department of secondary mathematics teaching and who volunteered to participate in the study. The data were obtained via task-based clinical interviews…

Research on teaching high school mathematics shows that the topic of percentages often causes learning difficulties. This article describes a method of teaching percentages that the authors used in university bridging courses. In this method, the information from a word problem about percentages is presented in a two-way table. Such a table gives…

The purpose of this study is to define teacher views about the difficulties in learning and teaching middle school statistics subjects. To serve this aim, a number of interviews were conducted with 10 middle school maths teachers in 2011-2012 school year in the province of Trabzon. Of the qualitative descriptive research methods, the…

This study employs the Excel function to design dynamic visual activities for factors and multiples word problem learning. A teaching experiment was carried out eight times in 4 weeks on three fifth grade students. The result showed that after using multiple-linked representations activities, students made greater progress in understanding target…

Novice students at the university encounter many difficulties, linked with the secondary-tertiary transition. But what does "transition" mean exactly? We consider it here from an institutional point of view, which leads us in particular to distinguish between two types of transition. We propose a specific perspective, and apply it to the…

A systematic study of the mathematical competence of all first-year engineering undergraduates at Plymouth Polytechnic, England is described. Results of a remedial mathematics program geared towards individualized instruction are presented. (MP)

A method of study which is inefficient but used by large numbers of students taking courses in mathematics is described. The wide relevance of the problem, for subjects other than mathematics, is also examined. (MP)

Describes a series of empirical studies designed to investigate the nature of learners' difficulties with the proof technique of structural induction. Indicates that a constant factor was the role of implication in induction. Concludes that the conceptual gap between knowing how to apply the principle of induction and understanding why it is valid…

This paper analyses three well-known paradoxes to show how mathematical statements can cause mental disharmony. The outcome forms a basis for a psychological theory of confusion in mathematics learning which has important implications for classroom practice and curriculum innovation. (Author/MN)

The theory of unary and binary operations are discussed and illustrated with examples from school mathematics. Presentations of selected inverse operations are made and attention is drawn to certain "typical" problems that occur during instruction and learning of these concepts. (MP)

The relationship between performance in mathematics and the understanding of mathematical text is examined in the case of students who have to learn the discipline in a language which is not their mother tongue. No correlation between performance and text understanding was found. (MN)