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Full-Text Articles in Education

Technology Integration In Secondary Mathematics Classrooms: Effect On Students’ Understanding, Megan Sheehan, Leah A. Nillas Nov 2010

Technology Integration In Secondary Mathematics Classrooms: Effect On Students’ Understanding, Megan Sheehan, Leah A. Nillas

Leah A. Nillas

Technology use in secondary mathematics courses has the potential to bring about broad changes in learning environment and teaching pedagogy, allowing students to communicate and collaborate in new ways and to conjecture, justify, and generalize findings. However, this potential is only realized when teachers use technology in ways encouraging these outcomes (Galbraith, 2006). The purpose of this study is to examine the integration of technology in secondary mathematics classrooms and to evaluate the effectiveness of its use in relation to students’ learning outcomes. This self study research was conducted in honors geometry and AP calculus classes. Data sources included transcripts …


Characterizing Preservice Teachers’ Mathematical Understanding Of Algebraic Relationships, Leah A. Nillas Sep 2010

Characterizing Preservice Teachers’ Mathematical Understanding Of Algebraic Relationships, Leah A. Nillas

Leah A. Nillas

Qualitative research methods were employed to investigate characterization of preservice teachers’ mathematical understanding. Responses on test items involving algebraic relationships were analyzed using with-in case analysis (Miles and Huberman, 1994) and Pirie and Kieren’s (1994) model of growth of mathematical understanding. Five elementary and special education preservice teachers were the focus of this study. Analysis showed that preservice teachers demonstrated different levels of mathematical understanding. The nature of the mathematical tasks they completed in class provided contexts for their developing understanding. Findings support the need to engage preservice teachers in mathematical sense-making and reasoning in order to experience what it …