Describes an activity, designed to comply with the National Science Education Standards, that integrates science and mathematics concepts. Mathematical modeling of the moon's phases is employed to show students the role of mathematics in describing scientific phenomena. (DKM)

States a convenient algorithm for temperature scale conversions and shows how performing the successive steps improves the accuracy of the results. (DDR)

Examines various processes of verbalizing in mathematics teaching. Describes several types of communication between school students and gives some examples for tasks. Interpretations for didactical concepts based on ideas about mathematical modeling, heuristic-experimental working, and also work with sequences of questions in mathematics teaching…

The Markov random graphs of O. Frank and D. Strauss (1986) and the estimation strategy for these models developed by Strauss and M. Ikeda (1990) are promising contributions. This paper describes a large class of models that can be used to investigate structure in social networks and illustrates their use. (SLD)

Decision theory is a useful method for assessing the effectiveness of the components of a course placement system. The effectiveness of placement tests or other variables in identifying underprepared students is described by the conditional probability of success in a standard course. Estimating the conditional probability of success is discussed.…

Discusses the meaning of the phrase "mathematics is everywhere." Introduces the book "Reconstructing School Mathematics: Problems with Problems and the Real World", written by Stephen Brown, which emphasizes mathematical modeling and the connection between mathematics and students' lives. (KHR)

Investigates the introduction of mathematical modeling into the mathematics assessment program of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Considers structured and open modeling in the pre-university mathematics program. Discusses influences of the use of hand-held technology on mathematical modeling and teacher and assessor beliefs about modeling…

Considers transitions from naive realism to formal mathematical modeling, using a Direct Manipulation Environment for Newtonian Mechanics. Highlights include a case study of pre-university students in the United Kingdom; the interplay of mathematical reasoning, modes of interaction with technology, and setting; and comparisons between direct…

Suggests ways for using data from championship tennis as a means for exploring probabilistic models, especially binomial probability. Examples include the probability of winning a service point and the probability of winning a service game using data from tables and graphs. (AIM)

Presents classroom vignettes in which middle grade students with developmentally different views of geometry stimulate each other's reasoning by externalizing mental images through modeling and discourse. (KHR)

Focused on two fifth graders in the Netherlands and studied two approaches to working with models in primary mathematics education: providing models versus designing models in coconstruction. Findings suggest that understanding may be improved by models students made themselves, and that students of this age are able to design models working…

Investigates problems of modeling and application based on a paradigmatic case study of a classroom situation in which students deal with functions within a computer-aided learning environment. Analysis of the case study shows that computer-supported operating with functions as objects does not automatically lead to a better understanding of the…

Discusses the changed roles of mathematics and novel representations that emerge from the ubiquity of computational models. Considers the implications for learning mathematics. Contends that a central component of knowledge required in modern societies involves the development of a meta-epistemological stance. Maps out implications for the design…

Aims for students to use a combination of stochastic ideas to simulate a basketball tournament. Uses the TI-83 calculator in the activity to simulate the binomial distribution. (KHR)

Counters arguments of Donald N. McClosky on formalism in the social sciences and claims he fails to identify important arguments that justify the practices he criticizes. Agrees that, although exposing accepted methods to critical examination is useful, this broad attack implies the rejection of good social science as well as bad. (NL)