Described is a Kernel Design, used in the multiunit Discovery School in Mansfield, Ohio, to improve a general weakness in the areas of measurement and the use of monetary skills. Kernel Design is so named because it conveys the gist or core of an idea. (Author/TG)

The need for communication between mathematics and physics teachers is discussed. Suggests that there is a problem among students of these subjects, in transferring their knowledge of mathematical terminology from mathematics to physics. (SA)

Demonstrates how teachers can move their students from the novice into the expert range of problem-solving strategies. Utilizes a problem-solving model that follows how such skills develop. (DDR)

Presents a conceptual framework for analyzing students' mathematical understanding, reasoning, problem solving, and communication. Analyses of student responses indicated that the tasks appear to measure the complex thinking and reasoning processes that they were designed to assess. Concludes that the QUASAR assessment tasks can capture changes in…

Middle school teachers (n=53) and prospective secondary teachers (n=28) posed problems related to billiards before and after solving a sample problem. Found systematic problem generation and more problems posed before solving a sample problem. Posed problems were not always solvable. (MTE)

Proposes activities that promote students' awareness of the structure of the information involved in their everyday activities, and builds the concept of function from students' mental representations of phenomena. Recommends the use of spreadsheets to provide external representations of these functions. (DDR)

Describes Mathematics in Context, a middle-level mathematics curriculum developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Utrecht, in the Netherlands. Instead of proceeding from a generalization to specific examples, the math originates in real problems; conversely, the mathematics learned is used to solve…

Considers the use of technology, particularly programmable or graphics calculators and computer software, in the transition years from secondary to higher education. Discusses use of software systems like Mathematica in the extended investigative, problem solving, and modeling Common Assessment Tasks of the Victorian Certificate of Education.…

Describes a series of activities in which students collect data on personal information and interests and use them to create a database file. Constructing a database gives students the opportunity to satisfy their natural curiosity and use numbers as they make predictions, develop number and operation sense, and explore data, fractions, and…

Examines the use of mathematics in a computer-aided design and manufacturing setting, whether this mathematics is related to school mathematics, how technicians understand this mathematics, and the role of technology in the technicians' mathematics-related problem solving activities. Focuses on technician's calculations of the interval volume of…

Describes the angles-of-a-star problem designed to find the sums of the measures of the angles at the vertices of a five-pointed star. Shows that a good problem may have many correct solutions. (KHR)

Describes a rugby problem designed to help students understand the maximum-minimum situation. Presents a series of explorations that locate an optimal place for kicking the ball to maximize the angle at the goalposts. Uses interactive geometry software to construct a model of the situation. Includes a sample student activity. (KHR)

Evaluation of the ability of 77 students who are moderately to profoundly deaf to solve arithmetic word problems found that students who are deaf experienced delays in successful work problem performance. Results support the idea that the delayed language acquisition of this population affects their capacity to solve arithmetic word problems.…

A study examined a method of instruction using video-based problems to help four incarcerated adults with emotional and learning disabilities improve their procedural and problem solving skills. A theoretical model for teaching mathematics guided instruction. Results showed that individuals learned to compute fractions and solve a multi-step,…

Describes an art lesson using the styles of Charles Demuth and Charles Sheeler in which the students created computerized drawings containing geometric forms. Explains that the lesson incorporates computer technology, art, and mathematics. Provides background information on Demuth and Sheeler and discusses procedures for the lesson. (CMK)