Illustrates the importance of helping students explore and discover topics in geometry and shows how students who use Geometer's Sketchpad, a powerful computer drawing program, develop a better understanding of geometry. Describes several activities that use the technology to help students discover a wide range of geometric relationships. (AEF)

Attempts to develop a global discussion about the roles of dynamic geometry systems (DGS) by addressing four points: (1) the variety of possible contexts for proof in a DGS; (2) the dual nature of proof (cognitive and social) as reflected in the "milieu" constructed around the use of a DGS; (3) from observing to proving; and (4) overcoming the…

This research investigated the possible impacts of computers on Turkish fourth-grade students geometry scores and further geometric learning. The study used a pretestinterventionposttest experimental design. Results showed that students who did not have computers at home initially had lower geometry scores. However, these differences were…

This article discusses the importance of measurement in providing a foundation for mathematical study and how measurement can be integrated with other mathematical strands. (Contains 1 table.)

This article describes activities for developing an understanding of a formula for calculating the volume of a rectangular prism. The core activity concerns determining the volume of water in a backyard skating rink. (Contains 4 figures.)

This article describes an investigation involving several designs of airplane wings in trial flight simulations based on a NASA CONNECT program. Students' experiences with data collection and interpretation are highlighted. (Contains 5 figures.)

This article showcases four Shel Silverstein works and how they can be used to launch mathematics investigations across the curriculum. Each selection focused on a different mathematical strand; for example, a poem titled "Where the Sidewalk Ends" demonstrates measurement and proportional reasoning, and another poem, "Falling Up," demonstrates…

This article describes an activity in measurement and geometry in which sixth-grade students explore the volume and surface area of a donut. Through calculation, creative thinking, and discovery, the students enhanced their geometric vocabulary and reasoning. (Contains 9 figures.)

Theorem acquisition and deductive proof have always been core elements in the study and teaching of Euclidean geometry. The introduction of dynamic geometry environments, DGE (e.g., Cabri-Geometre, Geometer's Sketchpad), into classrooms in the past decade has posed a challenge to this praxis. Students can experiment through different dragging…

The recent development of powerful new technologies such as dynamic geometry software (DGS) with drag capability has made possible the continuous variation of geometric configurations and allows one to quickly and easily investigate whether particular conjectures are true or not. Because of the inductive nature of the DGS, the…

EQUALS is a teacher education program that helps elementary and secondary educators acquire methods and materials to attract minority and female students to mathematics. It supports a problem-solving approach to mathematics which has students working in groups, uses active assessment methods, and incorporates a broad mathematics curriculum…

This paper begins with a description of a set of difficulties in classes where students were given problems which asked them to explore and "make conjectures." After presenting background on debates about discovery learning, changing philosophical conceptualizations of the role of the empirical in mathematics, and innovations involving…

This study examines teachers' mathematical understanding of various representations of slope and their knowledge for teaching the concept of slope. Specifically examined in this research are the concept images and concept definitions of slope held by both preservice (N=18) and inservice (N=21) secondary mathematics teachers. Data collected include…

A content analysis was conducted of think-aloud protocols of a teacher who used the Mathematics Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ) to explore the mathematical dispositions of her students. The teacher used the MAQ four times over a 2-year period with geometry students at various levels. On the first occasion, the teacher used a direct instruction…

This book is divided into eight sections. Section One, "A New Look at Mathematics: Rationale and Strategies for Reforming Mathematics", includes: An Overview of Mathematics Reform; Management for Computation Skills; Math Strategies for Individualized or Small Group Instruction; Math Strands Planning Activity; and Performance Assessment. Section…