The purpose of this study was to analyze how the systematic use of GeoGebra influences the ways of reasoning of high school students when they incorporate it in the resolution of word problems. The study was carried out with a group of 20 students who were studying Mathematics I. The results show that the students appropriated resources from the…

In Canada, as in other Western countries, solving word problems has comprised an important part of mathematics curricula. Traditionally, arithmetic thinking has largely been privileged as the main strategy for solving word problems at the elementary level, thus postponing the introduction of algebraic thinking to the secondary school. Drawing on…

Context is what makes mathematical modeling tasks different from more traditional textbook word problems. Math problems are sometimes stripped of context as they are worked on. For modeling problems, however, context is important for making sense of the mathematics. The task should be brought back to its real-world context as often as possible. In…

Context personalization--the incorporation of students' out-of-school interests into learning tasks--has recently been shown to positively affect students' situational interest and their performance and learning in mathematics. However, few studies have shown effects on both interest and achievement, drawing into question whether context…

Students with mathematics learning disabilities (MLD) have a weak understanding of fraction concepts and skills, which are foundations of algebra. Such students might benefit from computer-assisted instruction that utilizes evidence-based instructional components (cognitive strategies, feedback, virtual manipulatives). As a pilot study using a…

We share results from a quasi-experimental study in which we compared achievement between traditional face-to-face and computer-based sections of Intermediate Algebra on a common multiple choice exam as well as performance on open-response tasks. Students in the computer-based group performed better on the final exam and were also more likely to…

In this study, I investigated how proficiently seventh-grade students enrolled in two Southwestern schools solve algebra word problems. I analyzed various factors that could affect this proficiency and explored the differences between English Learners (ELs) and native English Primary students (EPs). I collected the data as part of the Animal Watch…

The study explored the effects of a computer-assisted COnceptual Model-based Problem-Solving (COMPS) program on multiplicative word-problem-solving performance of students with learning disabilities or difficulties. The COMPS program emphasizes mathematical modeling with algebraic expressions of relations. Participants were eight fourth and fifth…

Teachers can use culturally relevant pedagogical strategies and technologies as emerging tools to improve students' problem-solving skills. The purpose of this study was to investigate and assess the effectiveness of culturally specific computer-based instructional tasks on ninth-grade African American mathematics students. This study tried to…

In this paper the augmentation of worked examples with animations for teaching problem-solving skills in mathematics is advocated as an effective instructional method. First, in a cognitive task analysis different knowledge prerequisites are identified for solving mathematical word problems. Second, it is argued that so called hybrid animations…

In the Singapore primary school Mathematics curriculum, students are taught the model method that uses bar diagrams to visualize the problem structure in a given word problem. When these students progress to secondary school, they learn the algebraic way of solving word problems. Studies (e.g. Ng et al.) have shown that poor bridging of students…

"Saxon Math" curricula and materials are available for grades K through 12, with the content and skills designed to meet National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and various state standards. This WWC report focuses on middle school math curricula, defined as all Saxon Math curricula for grades 6 through 9. The…

Computer algebra systems are being used more and more frequently in mathematics courses of all levels. For instructors to use these systems effectively, they need to have an idea of how the systems work. To illuminate the mechanics, the implementation of a simple computer algebra system will be described. Further, if instructors understand the…

Describes how using spreadsheets helped seventh grade algebra students develop problem-solving skills. Topics include the functional dualism of the spreadsheet as a text, uniting enactive and numeric modeling of word problems, new meanings and reciprocal learning, learning through problem "posing," higher levels of thinking, and decreasing…

Describes PRECEPTOR, an intelligent tutoring system that provides multiple explanations for algebraic word problems involving two variables. Modeling the cognitive processes of an effective teacher is discussed, the capacity for individualized tutoring is examined, and differential tutoring based on varying difficulty levels is explained. (17…