This issue of "Investigations in Mathematics Education" contains: (1) 12 abstracts of research studies in mathematics education; (2) a list (by EJ number) of mathematics education research studies reported in the July-to-December 1984 issues of "Current Index to Journals in Education" (CIJE); and (3) a list (by ED number) of…

The use of calculators and computers in the schools is promoted. It is stated that calculators should be used in the mathematics classroom as soon as basic operations are understood. A point is made that calculators are no greater a threat to "learning the fundamentals" than slide rules, which have been available for over 350 years. It is…

Using national and state standards to guide a math program is just a start. It still must be decided how to apply the standards in the curriculum, determine when students should learn different content, and decide which programs and textbooks will help make math come alive in the classroom. That's where this new ASCD resource comes in. This book…

Described is a year-long study of the way a group of six 12-year-old children went about solving a special class of geometric problems using a computer and a limited set of LOGO programing tools. Examines solution strategies deciding whether those strategies led to insights about mathematical relations. (Author/MVL)

Presents six strategies to develop appropriate mathematical applications for middle school children: (1) change the name; (2) make problems appealing; (3) encourage group work; (4) let students generate story problems; (5) encourage a positive attitude; and (6) keep students motivated. Illustrates strategies with three examples involving…

Discusses how children's literature can be used as a context to develop problem-solving tasks. Illustrates this idea by developing tasks to teach concepts related to multiplication through the context of "The Patchwork Quilt," a children's book by Valerie Flournoy. Suggests activity extensions to determine unit sizes, draw scale models,…

Presents five activities focusing on mental computation and estimation for the K-3, 3-5, 4-6, and 6-8 grade levels that require the student, acting as a judge, to review solutions to problems and to pronounce and justify a verdict. Provides suggested materials, questions, possible extensions, answers, and worksheets for each activity. (MDH)

Discussed is the process of translating situations involving changing quantities into mathematical relationships. This process, called dynamical modeling, allows students to learn new mathematics while sharpening their algebraic skills. A description of dynamical systems, problem-solving methods, a graphical analysis, and available classroom…

Two studies to determine how students interact with two microworlds that reflect a constructivist view of learning investigated students' goals during interaction, strategies utilized to achieve their goals, changes in goals during interaction, and common patterns of interaction and learning. Concludes that well-designed games enable students to…

Explores the role that symbolic-graphical calculators can play in the current calls for reform in the mathematics curriculum. Discusses symbolic calculators and graphing calculators in relation to problem solving, computational skills, and mathematics instruction. (MDH)

The translation of problems into symbolic form and solution by truth table methods are described. (SD)

Reports on two types of unsolvability in mathematics. One is an instance of impossibility and the second is a judgment of undecidability. Presents a number of examples of undecidable propositions. (GS)

The problems, solutions, and results of the fourth annual contest are presented. (SD)

In this article, the author comments on the article "Solid geometry in the works of an iron artisan,'" Castro, 23(3). The author finds it interesting to read about the implicit mathematical knowledge of ironworkers, weavers, tailors and other practitioners as they undertake their various crafts and professions. In the article, Fernando…

Cognitive factors related to problem solving have been explored, but affective factors also play an important role in the teaching of mathematical problem solving. This paper outlines the theories of George Mandler and Bernard Weiner, providing a useful background for research related to affect and problem solving. Data related to the two theories…