Education has traditionally studied the world by bringing it into the classroom. This method can result in situated learning that appears to students to have no relevance outside the classroom. Students acquire inert, decontextualized knowledge that they cannot apply to real problems. The obvious solution to this shortcoming is to reverse the…

It is well known that math phobia is a common problem among young school children. It becomes a challenge to educational practitioners and academic researchers to figure out ways to overcome the problem. Collaborative team learning has been proposed as one of the alternatives. This study was part of a large and ongoing research project designed to…

Although proof and reasoning are seen as fundamental components of learning mathematics, research shows that many students continue to struggle with geometric proofs. In order to relate pedagogical methods to students' understanding of geometric proof, this 3-year project focuses on 2 components of student understanding of proof, namely, students'…

This paper discusses the development of self-determination skills by students with disabilities and the role of the professional in promoting these skills. It begins by providing a list of 25 elements of self-determination and then explains the importance of promoting the development of self-advocacy groups and other endeavors initiated by and for…

This paper presents an analysis of two cases developed by students in a course co-taught at the University of St. Thomas (Minneapolis, Minnesota) concerning how technology decisions get made and implemented. The aim is to demonstrate how leadership students can become adept at ferreting out and diminishing the biggest problems encountered in…

The Secondary Teacher Education Project is involved in building scientific principles of Web-based instructional design. The general question being addressed is how to most effectively support learning within complex Web sites that contain many pages of conceptual material tied to real-world problems and/or cases. Cognitive Flexibility Theory…

This book, the first in a series of four, presents a collection of articles focusing on intelligent behaviors called habits of mind. These habits of mind can aid both students and adults in school and daily life as they encounter problems, the resolutions of which are not immediately apparent. The habits are rooted in a modern view of intelligence…

This work, commissioned by the Presidents Academy of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), presents a variety of case studies illustrating the types of sensitive situations in which community college presidents may find themselves and offers advice on how best to prepare for and resolve such situations. It addresses some of the…

This digest discusses the unique needs of mathematically gifted students and reasons why curriculum and instruction should be differentiated for these learners in mixed-ability classrooms. Recommendations for differentiation include: (1) give pre-assessments so that students who already know the material do not have to repeat it but may be…

This volume presents different issues and views on research in mathematics education in Australia. Chapters include: (1) "An Introduction to This Review" (Kay Owens); (2) "Recent Research Monographs" (Kay Owens and editors of the monographs); (3) "Language Factors in Mathematics Education" (Nerida Ellerton, Ken…

There is plenty of "math on the menu" in the series of activities featured in this book. Students help the Rosada family start a Mexican restaurant featuring a variety of tostadas. Over the course of the unit, students apply different problem-solving strategies as they plan and expand the menu, determine different combinations of ingredients,…

This report describes a study that investigated the relationship between mental imagery and problem solving in physics, specifically in kinematics. A distinction is made between visual imagery and spatial imagery used in solving physics problems. The results of this study indicate that while spatial imagery may promote problem solving success, the…

This paper presents an outline of teacher empowerment issues. Section 1, "Definitions of Terms and Concepts Related to Teacher Empowerment," focuses on "Teacher Empowerment,""Dimensions of Empowerment,""Three Views of Empowerment,""Issues Related to Empowerment,""Terms Frequently Used in the…

This paper provides a review of the literature on the roles and responsibilities of the academic departmental chair in colleges and universities. Carroll and Gmelch (1992) found four orientations in a factor analysis of department chair duties: leader chairs, scholar chairs, faculty developer chairs, and manager chairs. Creswell and Brown (1992)…

This paper presents a reasoning taxonomy to explain reasoning objectives, strategies, and habits available to the advanced thinker. It begins by explaining the first part of the taxonomy, objectives of reasoning, including the need for skilled thinkers to reason with a purpose and to understand how the world works so that they can engage with it.…