This aptitude-treatment interaction study explored the relationship between cognitive restructuring ability and treatments varying in the amounts of teacher guidance on tasks with fractions. An interaction was found between cognitive restructuring ability and levels of teacher guidance for items having continuous perceptual distracters. (MNS)

Learning to teach mathematics for understanding is not easy. First, practice itself is complex. Second, many teachers' traditional experiences with and orientations to mathematics and its pedagogy are additional hindrances. This paper examines teaching practices and reviews some of what is known about prospective and experienced elementary…

The mathematical experiences of elementary students often focus on memorizing facts and rules as opposed to making sense of the subject and developing problem solving skills. Students spend large amounts of time processing, memorizing and sorting collections of data which are tasks well performed by computer technology. To correct this situation,…

The Education Technology Center (ETC) Fractions Group works to investigate well-documented difficulties that children have in understanding fractions. A central assumption underlying this group's inquiry is that students' difficulties in manipulating fractions arise from their lack of understanding about the nature of fractions. In order to learn…

The contrast between the teaching of reading and mathematics is drawn. A new set of learning conditions for mathematics is presented based on a model of reading instruction. Immersion, demonstration, engagement, expectations, responsibility, use approximation, response, refinement, and outcomes are discussed. (CW)

The relationship between mental models used in problem solving and strategies children use when problem solving with manipulative materials are discussed. Teaching strategies for bridging the gap between the two are suggested. (CW)

Begins with the assumption that by practicing something one often learns something else. A discussion is presented on the historical and social development of knowledge, the cognitive development of students, the role of teachers, and the meaning of learning situations. (PK)

This study considered the meaning that was given to knowing/doing mathematics in classrooms comprising the observational study conducted by the Wisconsin Center for Education Research during 1978-81. The study interprets the work of teachers and students, and considers what constitutes appropriate mathematical knowledge for children to learn. A…

This study investigated barriers to calculator use in elementary school classrooms. Teachers (n=348) and principals (n=30) in western New York State were surveyed in 1988 about their feelings and beliefs about calculator use. Analysis of the responses found that teachers and principals believed that calculators should be used in elementary…