This paper describes student difficulties in first-year calculus classes and suggests some instructional strategies to address these difficulties. Participants in this study were 200 low socio-economic background freshmen majoring in business in Brazil. Results show that the main difficulties are related to lack of understanding of algebraic…

This longitudinal study investigated the ways in which two groups of eight students used spreadsheets to represent and solve algebra problems and related this to their previous arithmetical experiences and evolving use of symbolic language. The spreadsheet environment supported students to move from specific to general thinking. Includes story…

Discusses the implications of a research study of more than 2000 students aged 11 to 15 that explored why the students interpret algebra in certain ways. Recommends strategies that can help teachers deal with prior knowledge that students may bring to their study of algebra. (DDR)

Presents an approach to explaining a relation, a - b = -(b - a), that is difficult for algebra students to understand. The approach came about as a result of discussions with students in which they provided many novel explanations. (DDR)

This empirical investigation, implemented with a computer program, examined the influence of graphical and numerical representations on the discovery process involving iteration sequence properties and concomitant problem-solving abilities for 79 eleventh grade students and 22 secondary mathematics teachers. Results indicate that heuristics and…

The purpose of a seminar attended by mathematics educators from the United States and Japan was to explore ways that use of technology in teaching problem solving can improve student learning. The following presentations were made: (1) "A Report of U.S.-Japan Cross-cultural Research on Students' Problem-Solving Behavior," (T. Miwa and T.…

This document contains the proceedings of the 22nd annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education held October 7-10, 2000, in Tucson, Arizona. Selected papers include: (1) "Dealing with Complexity: New Paradigms for Research in Mathematics Education" (Richard Lesh); (2) "Algebra…

The first volume of this proceedings contains an introduction and the plenary, research forum, working group, and discussion group papers. Papers include: (1) "Resources as a Verb: Recontextualizing Resources in and for School Mathematics" (Jill Adler); (2) "Markets and Standards: The Politics of Education in a Conservative Age" (Michael Apple);…

The second volume of this proceedings contains the first portion of the research reports. Papers include: (1) "Learning Algebraic Strategies Using a Computerized Balance Model" (James Aczel); (2) "Children's Perception of Multiplicative Structure in Diagrams" (Bjornar Alseth); (3) "A Discussion of Different Approaches to Arithmetic Teaching"…

The fourth volume of this proceedings contains 29 full research reports continuing on from Volume 3, 84 short oral communications (abstracts only) and 34 poster presentations (abstracts only). The full papers include: (1) "Beliefs, Teacher Education and the History of Mathematics" (George N. Philippou and Constantinos Christou); (2)…