This book introduces journal-writing prompts in mathematics for geometry. Content prompts, attitudinal or affective prompts, and process prompts are presented. Each of the content prompts relates or connects topics within and outside of mathematics, targeting important or meaningful concepts and skills. The content prompts also provide situations…

A project in Papua, New Guinea provided a computer-based learning environment for primary school teachers. Its goals were to: (1) help inservice teachers gain skills and confidence needed to teach mathematics and problem solving; and (2) determine conditions that influence the success of computer inservice education in developing countries. (PP)

Describes work with kindergarten children to improve their development of estimation, decision making, divergent thinking, directionality, numerical concepts, and creative problem solving skills through learning to program and control the robot Big Trak, a truck which moves along the floor in response to their commands. (EAO)

Computer literacy is defined as the ability to utilize capabilities of computers intelligently. Specific skills and characteristics necessary for computer literate pupils are listed. The importance of computer literacy, a curriculum, and evaluation are discussed. (MP)

The field of teacher education is in need of a problematic approach which would emphasize a more humanistic and less technological stance. Illustrations are given as to how such an approach could be applied in two different realms of teacher education: (1) mathematics education; and (2) field experiences for student teachers. (PP)

A list of five broad skill areas common to science and mathematics is presented and discussed. Also considered are the learning and teaching of basic skills. (MK)

Explores parent perceptions of education, mathematics education, teachers' roles in education, and computers in education. The use of interviews and a survey is explained; results of a factor analysis are discussed, including responsibility and problem-solving factors; and implications for educational policy are suggested. (LRW)

Discusses the process of learning to construct and interpret representations from a social practice perspective. If students need to construct tables and graphs to complete a project report in mathematics or science, they can learn to consider whether these forms are effective at communicating important information. If students merely complete…

Studied the sociocultural context in which Brazilian children acquire and use everyday mathematics in terms of currency use. Participants were 105 children, ages 4 to 11, and their parents. Found decreased use of currency with increasing age. Children also used currency to aid their problem solving and progressed from global estimates to the…

Studied the influence of authentic contexts and self-made graphical representations on students' well-documented tendency to apply the linear model improperly in representing and solving nonproportional word problems. Findings for 152 Flemish 8th graders and 161 10th graders do not show the expected effects; in fact, these forms of help had…

Describes two approaches to connecting literature and problem solving with mathematics. One approach is to focus on a particular strategy of problem solving, then find a storybook related to the strategy. Another approach is to find a favorite children's book and develop the problem-solving portion of the lesson from the book. A resource list and…

Shares perspectives on what is happening at the national level in science education reform, why reform is needed, and the role that environmental education can play in this reform effort. Contains a discussion of the recent changes in science content and instructional goals. (DDR)

Investigates the arithmetic and algebra word problem-solving skills and strategies of future primary and secondary school teachers. Describes the evolution of these skills and strategies from the beginning to the end of teacher education. Indicates that, in the education of preservice primary and secondary school teachers, there is need for an…

Describes an inquiry-based scooter activity in which students learn the mathematical concepts of measurement and proportionality and the science concepts of force, motion, velocity, and acceleration while using their problem solving skills. Explains strengths and weaknesses of the activity and includes suggestions for assessment. (YDS)

Current knowledge about cognitive development in mathematics is reviewed, specific effective strategies for presenting materials in class are described, and effective strategies for mathematics program content and organization are outlined. Substantial information on recent research and on instructional materials is included. (MSE)