Enrollment managers in search of a flexible, comprehensive student flow model will find the Markov Chain a suitable mathematical process for use in tracking students through their academic careers. Furthermore, projections can be made based on previous enrollment patterns, and many scenarios can be examined under various constraints and…

The Core-Plus Mathematics Project (CPMP) is a four-year program emphasizing mathematical modeling, featuring full use of graphing calculators, building on the theme of mathematics as sense-making, and involving investigations of real-life contexts that lead to reinventing important mathematics. (MKR)

Presents activities in which students study exponential growth and decay by collecting data, constructing graphs, and discovering algebraic formulas. (MKR)

Illustrates some of the analytic tools and conventions associated with the construction and evaluation of dynamic models of the processes underlying learning, memory, and development. Describes a study finding that children may exhibit slower disintegration of verbatim memory traces than adults due to interference; however, adults may be more…

Reviews efforts to develop mathematical models in developmental psychology. Explores recent developments in using dynamical systems for modeling human psychological processes. Comments on the studies described in this journal issue on dynamic modeling of cognitive development. Suggests that using this framework holds great promise for clarifying…

Uses probability models in problem-solving activities based on an episode of the television show "Gunsmoke." (MKR)

Contends that, though much attention is given in mathematics to the problem of sensitizing people to the need for identifying elements of a situation and representing them symbolically, little or no effort is devoted to the problem of helping them express the relationships among these elements. (11 references) (MKR)

Regression to the mean (RTM) is often misunderstood. It is demonstrated that artifactual RTM depends fundamentally on the magnitude of measurement error at pretest. Adjustment usually involves estimating the measurement error and determining consequences, but even without adjustment, effects of RTM can be ameliorated. (SLD)

Uses a model of student and school behavior to simulate effects of differing voucher amounts on students in different income categories, drawing on two major assumptions concerning service delivery and competition. Poor youngsters would not be better off under voucher system. Even under highly favorable conditions, a systemic choice system would…

Four bootstrap methods are identified for constructing confidence intervals for the binomial-error model. The extent to which similar results are obtained and the theoretical foundation of each method and its relevance and ranges of modeling the true score uncertainty are discussed. (SLD)

Presents a mathematical model to explain the public's issue priority by integrating media agenda-setting and social interaction. Finds that the public's issue priority was influenced by both media and social interaction. (RS)

Discussed theories relating forgetting rates and age. Developed a theory and mathematical model for examining storage failure versus retrieval failure, true forgetting versus test-induced processes, and storage- versus retrieval-based reminiscence. A series of experiments studied these factors in children and seniors. (BC)

Argues the usefulness of algebraic and topological mathematical models and general principle formulation for educational research. Applies an algebraic model to relate learning to the pace of instruction. Formulates two broad principles: the Quantitative and Qualitative Teaching Principles (more teaching produces more learning; and learning is…

A study documented 10 college students' understanding of the limit concept and the factors affecting changes in that understanding. Encouragement by the researchers for the students to change their common informal models of limit to more formal conceptions were met with extreme resistance. (Author/JJK)

Presents the theory of primary and secondary rainbow formation utilizing simple optics and geometric concepts. Describes an appropriate, waterless classroom demonstration and includes the relevant mathematical formulas and models. (JJK)