Describes the Approaching Algebra Numerically (AAN) Calculator as a computer-based simulation of a hand-held calculator designed with novice learners in mind. Includes a complete description of the calculator and suggests uses for the calculator, including exponentiation, order of operations, scientific notation, concept of variable, and problem…

Proposes that teachers should examine the elements of mathematical understandings that precede conservation and one-to-one correspondence and tailor classroom instruction to benefit both conserving and nonconserving students. (PK)

A survey of institutions concerning their reporting of data on the Higher Education General Information Survey and specifically examining the differences in definitions and calculations among reporting institutions, confirmed suspected problems of comparability of information. The impact of these differences on data interpretation is discussed.…

Item parameter estimates vary for a variety of reasons, including estimation error, characteristics of the examinee samples, and context effects (e.g., item location effects, section location effects, etc.). Although we expect variation based on theory, there is reason to believe that observed variation in item parameter estimates exceeds what…

This action research study examined the effectiveness of Touch Math, a math series that emphasizes use of manipulatives, to improve mathematics achievement with four third or fourth grade students with special needs (either mild mental retardation, learning disability, or health impairment). The students received mathematics instruction for 45…

This paper addresses statistical aspects of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (Bush, 2001), with the following goals: to further the discussion on how gaps in performance might be defined and to offer candidate gap estimators, to evaluate candidate gap estimators with respect to three separate student performance measures, to provide…

The paper initially describes the sources of uncertainty in National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data and standard errors. As NAEP sample sizes have increased, greater precision has been attained by the program. For this reason, exclusion effects are increasingly important. Two scenarios of revised NAEP results are presented (for New…

Most experts believe that young children possess a substantial amount of informal knowledge about mathematics. The teacher's role is to create a link between children's ability to use informal math and the ability to understand the more formal math taught in elementary school. Teachers must help children construct and elaborate upon what they…

Presented are several simple kinetic systems together with the spreadsheets used to solve them. A set of exercises in chemical kinetics appropriate for an introductory course in physical chemistry is given. Error propagation calculations with experimental data are illustrated. (CW)

Described is a short program for teaching and learning about geometric transformations. The integration of geometry problem solving and BASIC programing is discussed. Applications of computer graphics are illustrated. (CW)

Provides two activities. Discusses the use of a computer and a calculator for the activities. Presents BASIC and LOGO program for finding Pythagorean triples. Seven references are listed. (YP)

Described are two applications of computers in chemistry. The multilinear equations and procedures used in obtaining a least-squares solution for curve fitting in chemistry are presented. Also discussed is the program "ATORB" which can be used to generate graphs of probable electron clouds for various atoms and molecules. (CW)

Investigates the development of concepts and processes associated with computational estimation. Twelve students at each of grades three, five, seven, and nine were interviewed. The older children understood better than the younger children what was asked but were uncomfortable with estimation processes and outcomes. (Author/YP)

Results of a study of 117 eighth-grade math students suggest: mastery-based methods were more effective than non-mastery methods in improving lesson achievement; computer-based and traditional delivery systems are of greatest value when complementing each other; and student attitudes were only nominally affected by various treatments. (IAH)

Presents examples of word problems that can be used to illustrate the distributive property for preservice teachers. Includes examples involving extended sums, volume, area, prealgebra, place value, long multiplication, fractions, decimals, and algebra. (MDH)