Education Commons^™

Restructuring For Mathematical Power: Techniques For Teaching Thinking In Algebra, Barbara D. Nelson

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

Recent critiques of mathematics education have resulted in proposals to restructure learning and teaching for mathematical power. The new vision pictures the classroom as a community of learners where mathematics come alive as a useful tool in our technological society. However, many high school mathematics teachers are struggling to understand and implement the fundamental instructional change inherent in the vision. Written from the perspective of a high school teacher for experienced high school mathematics teachers, this thesis attempts to bridge vision and practice. To clarify the vision, current literature on reform in mathematics education is synthesized into a framework of …

Sex-Related Differences In Autonomous Learning Behaviours And Mathematics Achievement, Laura Beahan

Theses : Honours

The autonomous learning behaviour model proposed by Fennema and Peterson (1985a, 1985b) hypothesises that sex- related differences in mathematics are a result of sex-related differences in autonomous learning behaviours. Autonomous learning behaviours include choosing to engage in high-level tasks, preferring to work independently on such tasks and persisting at them. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex-related differences in autonomous learning behaviours and to determine any relationship between the presence of these behaviours and achievement in mathematics. Twelve students studying the Year 1 unit "Foundations of Mathematics" were selected for the study, including two males and two females …

Occasional Papers: On Teaching The Sciences, Janice Rowan Poley

Hollybush Series

Volume 2 of The Hollybush Series contains six essays by Glassboro State College faculty on teaching mathematics, computer science, and physics.

The editor is Janice Rowan Poley and the authors of the six essays are Janet Caldwell, Seth Bergmann, Ronald Czochor, A. Michael Berman, Karen Magee-Sauer, and Gary Itzkowitz.

Cooperative Learning On Mathematical Problem Solving: Reflections By A Traditional Teacher And Her Students, Diana Metsisto

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

As our society becomes more technologically complex, the educational system preparing our students to become citizens of this society must adapt to met changing demands. Mathematical literacy of the 21st century will require a different model of mathematics education than that which served in the past. This thesis argues for a model of mathematics education which includes as key components: problem solving, question posing, cooperative learning, concrete manipulatives, and teaching for thinking. This new model sets forth guidelines for a facilitative approach to the teaching of mathematics as opposed to the more traditional, authoritative model. This facilitative model is based …

A Cooperative Approach To Writing A Curriculum Guide For Mathematics, Sara Nilson Bos

All Graduate Projects

This project involved writing a curriculum guide for grades kindergarten through six in the area of mathematics. This guide was developed using a cooperative approach including small groups of teachers representing several grade levels, as well as, the entire teaching staff. The process of developing the guide was important to this study as was the mathematics guide itself. Teachers were involved in selection of a mathematics curriculum, implementing the curriculum, evaluating and adapting the curriculum after one year of use, and writing the guide to accompany the program.

The Relationship Between Cooperative Small Group Composition And The Learning Of A Mathematical Concept In The Primary School Years: A Pilot Study, Susan Eaton

Theses : Honours

In recent years small group cooperative learning has been given increasing attention by researchers. This interest has been a result of n growing awareness of the benefits that small group cooperative learning can bring to the learning process. These benefits include gains in areas of academic achievement, self-confidence as a learner, cross-cultural/cross-racial relationships, social acceptance of mainstreamed students, and improved attitudes towards school and learning. A particular focus of North American researchers has been small group cooperative learning in mathematics. Little work had been done in this area in Western Australian schools and with the changed emphasis in the Western …

Perfil Quali-Quantitativo Dos Currículos Do Ensino Secundário Brasileiro No Século Xix [A Quali-Quantitative Profile Of The Curricula Of The Brazilian Secondary School Of The Xix Century], Karl M. Lorenz, Ariclê Vechia

Karl M Lorenz

O trabalho caracteriza a organização e os conteúdos dos currículos adotados na escola secundária brasileira de 1838 a 1900, tomando como referência o Colégio Pedro II. O estudo classifica as disciplinas em quatro conjuntos curriculares: Humanidades, Ciências, Matemáticas e Estudos Sociais. Analise, quantitativamente, as disciplinas dos conjuntos curriculares, sua frequência e distribuição nas series, e a carga horaria atribuída elas.
The paper describes the organization and contents of the curricula adopted in the Brazilian secondary school for the years 1838 to 1900, using as its reference the College Pedro II. The study classifies the curricular disciplines in four groups: Humanities, …

Perfil Quali-Quantitativo Dos Currículos Do Ensino Secundário Brasileiro No Século Xix [A Quali-Quantitative Profile Of The Curricula Of The Brazilian Secondary School Of The Xix Century], Karl M. Lorenz, Ariclê Vechia

Education Faculty Publications

O trabalho caracteriza a organização e os conteúdos dos currículos adotados na escola secundária brasileira de 1838 a 1900, tomando como referência o Colégio Pedro II. O estudo classifica as disciplinas em quatro conjuntos curriculares: Humanidades, Ciências, Matemáticas e Estudos Sociais. Analise, quantitativamente, as disciplinas dos conjuntos curriculares, sua frequência e distribuição nas series, e a carga horaria atribuída elas.

The paper describes the organization and contents of the curricula adopted in the Brazilian secondary school for the years 1838 to 1900, using as its reference the College Pedro II. The study classifies the curricular disciplines in four groups: Humanities, …

Linear Measurement: A Prevocational Skills Curriculum Based On The Brigance Inventory Of Essential Skills, Linda Jane Kittle

All Graduate Projects

Student progress toward an educational goal can be enhanced by the use of a curriculum containing both assessment and instruction. This project is such a curriculum based on the linear measurement items of the Brigance Inventory of Essential Skills. The careful sequencing and prevocational nature of this curriculum, along with its record-keeping forms, make it especially useful for special education. It is also available as a data disk for use with Apple microcomputers.

A Supplementary Unit For The Average Level High School Geometry Course, Theresa Lynn Hulbert

All Graduate Projects

A set of worksheets were created to supplement high school geometry textbooks. The worksheet~ focus on the needs and abilities of the average or below average high school geometry students. The supplement consists of additional problems in areas where books are lacking, proofs with some of the statements or reasons filled in, and review problems.

Pattern And Mathematics: Math Enrichment Activities For Gifted Fourth, Fifth And Sixth Grade Children, Janet K. Zuber

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide assistance to the elementary math teacher in meeting the needs of the student gifted in the area of math. A collection of activities is provided to use with gifted intermediate students and should serve as an example of the type of activities appropriate for the gifted student. These activities would be most appropriately used with gifted students in grades four through six. The activities would be of greatest benefit if students were grouped in a homogeneous manner with one teacher taking responsibility for their math needs, Homogeneous grouping would allow for faster-paced …

Computer Banking And Cross-Referencing Of Mathematical Materials For The Elementary Grades, Daniel Jordan Martin

All Graduate Projects

The specific area and focus of this project will be that of arranging District and program math learning objectives for eventual computer banking along with materials cross-referenced to those objectives. In addition, the cross-referenced materials will be labeled as to grade level, interest level, mode of learning, and time needed for their use. The computer banking will facilitate use and prescriptive accessibility to given objectives.

The justification for such a project can be broken down into several areas: (1) the need of the elementary math teachers to have a bank of supplementary materials cross-referenced to facilitate their instruction of math …

Development Of The Minimum Competency Exam In Mathematics For The Hoquiam School District, John Daniel Descher

All Graduate Projects

Two competency exams (Test A and Test B) were constructed and field tested on high school students in the Hoquiam School District. Individual results were compared to respective Stanford Achievement Test scores. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate population differences. Results from Test A were compared to results from Test B. Also, differences between performances of juniors and seniors were analyzed. A further statistical analysis was performed to compare performances between boys and girls.

Transformational Geometry Unit, Elizabeth Ann O'Neill

All Graduate Projects

The study included the development and writing of a unit on transformational geometry which involved a holistic approach including the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. This unit was taught to the eighth grade class in the Oakville School District in Oakville, Washington. The results showed support that the teaching of this unit was effective.

The Development Of A Nongraded Mathematics Program For The Intermediate Grades In An Open Concept Middle School, Timothy D. Paschal

All Graduate Projects

During the spring of 1972 the teaching staff of Fairview Middle School, Central Kitsap School District, was engaged in re-examining its methods of instruction. The opportunity existed to facilitate this re-examination through applied administrative techniques. Beginning in the Spring of 1972, and continuing through the Spring of 1974, the teaching staff, with the aid of this writer, worked to reorganize and improve its methods of instruction

The purpose of the project was to apply those administrative techniques which would foster and sustain a motivational level, within the teaching staff, sufficient to reorganize and improve their methods of instruction. The thrust …

Traditional Vs. Individualized Fifth And Sixth Grade Arithmetic Program, Donald Paul Giaudrone

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparative study involving two methods of arithmetic instruction for fifth and sixth grade students. Thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using a traditional approach and thirty pupils were taught arithmetic using an individualized approach. Each group was divided into high, average, and low ability students and between group achievements compared at the end of an eight month period with encouraging results. Evaluation and statistical analysis followed. The findings were discussed and recommendations offered for further study.

A Comparative Investigation Of The Effects Of Frequent Testing Upon Achievement In Secondary Advanced Algebra, John Thomas Fullerton

All Master's Theses

Relatively speaking, few studies have concerned themselves with the problem of frequent testing, and as Keys pointed out, empirical evidence, uncomplicated by differences in the amount of testing material employed, on the effects of frequent testing is, at best, scarce (14:427). Also many studies used tests and test results for direct instruction, thus introducing additional variables. Furthermore, the choice of subjects and disciplines has been limited, the better part being taken from college psychology and sociology classes or high school science classes. This investigation was not an attempt to modify previous experiments, nor was it an attempt to identify which …

An Evaluation Of An Early Introduction Of Algebra I To Junior High School Students On An Extended Basis, Ralph H. Peterson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the program of mathematics for eighth grade students that provides for an early introduction to Algebra I. The study will (1) gather evidence needed upon which to base a decision to continue the type of grouping described above, and (2) gather evidence to determine changes in the students' attitudes and interest concerning mathematics in general.

Final Examination Scores In Algebra As A Function Of Retesting, Otto Francis Ruud

All Master's Theses

Many teachers as well as students feel that our system of evaluation is far from perfect, but these same people have offered no alternative workable plan which would in whole or in part relieve the objections. Hopefully this study will demonstrate a philosophy of the teaching of mathematics in conjunction with a companion plan of evaluation which will relieve many of the basic objections while at the same time produce more learning. The philosophy that a more cooperative attitude in regard to assignments, testing, and make-up work are more conducive to learning is the basic aspect of this study. It …

The Development And Implementation Of An Auto-Tutorial Approach To Trade Mathematics, Warren Dwight Monroe

All Master's Theses

The problem of this thesis deals with the instruction of trade mathematics. The major problem involves teaching trade mathematics to a heterogeneous group of technical students. The final outcome must be students mathematically competent to function in their chosen technical area. The method of instruction must be flexible enough to allow for individual differences. The mode of instruction must be able to accept the student where he is mathematically and take him to where he needs to go. The procedure used to solve this thesis problem is the auto-tutorial method of instruction. The solution involved the development of performance objectives, …

The Level Of Mathematical Understanding Possessed By Prospective Elementary Teachers, William Dean Vodarski

All Master's Theses

It was the purpose of this study to determine the level of mathematical understanding possessed by prospective elementary teachers graduating from Central Washington State College. It was also the purpose to determine if the measured level of mathematical understanding is related to such factors as sex, education classes completed, mathematics classes completed, and grade level of student teaching.

A Survey Of Aerospace Education In Grades Nine Through Twelve In The State Of Washington, Judith Ann Isaac

All Master's Theses

The purposes of this study were: (1) to survey the incidence of aerospace education in grades nine through twelve of Washington State schools, (2) to discover what courses and units include such education in the curriculum, (3) to determine who the teachers are, and the nature of their preparation, (4) to gain a description of what kind of education is attempted under this heading, and (5) to discover what the opportunities are for expanded aerospace education within the schools surveyed.

Cauchy Extensions Of Integrals, Donald Wayne Carlton

All Master's Theses

This paper presents some ideas on a different approach to the teaching of integral calculus. The method presented here, though simple in nature, requires little alteration when new topics such as probability and series are developed.

An Investigation Of Mikusinski’S Operational Calculus, Darwin Chester Hahn

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was development of a field of Mikusinski operators in calculus.

The Development Of Arithmetical Concepts With Use Of Manipulative Materials, Elsie O. Deatherage

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this paper to show how manipulative aids were used to develop arithmetic concepts in a first grade in Selah, Washington. These arithmetic concepts are widely used in grade one according to Gunderson and Hollister, Edwina Deans, Grossnickle, and others.

A Proposed Curricula Time Schedule Appliance To Eighth Grade Modern Mathematics, James Parker Eastham

Graduate Student Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine several possible curricula time schedules in light of the objectives of eighth grade modern mathematics, and to develop a schedule best suited to meet these objectives. It was further postulated that a flexible schedule would: 1. allow time for completion of materials by students with average and above capabilities. 2. allow for student individual differences. 3. allow most effective use of staff.

A Proposed Curriculum Of Ninth-Grade Mathematics For Chief Joseph Junior High School, George Michael Mathews

Graduate Student Research Papers

This study's purpose is to develop a flexible-scheduling program in ninth-grade mathematics for Chief Joseph Junior High School, Richland, Washington, which can be integrated into the over-all curriculum at the time when the school adopts the idea of flexibility.

A Longitudinal Program Of Individualized Arithmetic Instruction In Grades Four, Five And Six, Charles Gordon Libby

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this research paper to develop a longitudinal program of individualized instruction in arithmetic that (1) would meet the individual needs of children in grades four, five and six; (2) could be used in a graded elementary school situation; and (3) could be adapted to the Scott Foresman program of mathematics.

A Critical Review Of Current Literature On Modern Arithmetic, Hugh Fotheringill

Graduate Student Research Papers

It was the purpose of this study (1) to review current literature regarding new trends and programs in elementary mathematics; (2) to investigate the need for the adoption of a new mathematics program in the elementary schools; (3) and investigate the need for the retraining of elementary teachers in the new mathematics.

An Investigation Of A Junior High School Mathematics Laboratory Through Team Teaching Procedures, Lloyd Don Stacy

Graduate Student Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to plan the initial developments of a junior high school mathematics laboratory. The developments include the implementation of team teaching procedures involving a demonstration unit establishing a modern mathematics approach to the teaching of geometry.