Education Commons^™

What Are Some Of The Common Traits In The Thought Processes Of Undergraduate Students Capable Of Creating Proof?, Karen Malina Duff

Theses and Dissertations

Mathematical proof is an important topic in mathematics education research. Many researchers have addressed various aspects of proof. One aspect that has not been addressed is what common traits are shared by those who are successful at creating proof. This research investigates the common traits in the thought processes of undergraduate students who are considered successful by their professors at creating mathematical proof. A successful proof is defined as a proof that successfully accomplishes at least one of DeVilliers (2003) six roles of proof and demonstrates adequate mathematical content, knowledge, deduction and logical reasoning abilities. This will typically be present …

Journaling As A Test Preparatory Measure In Secondary Mathematics: Successful Student Strategies, Lloyd E. Nickerson Ii

Master of Education Research Theses

This study examines a math journal writing assignment comparing how high school (grades 10 through 12) algebra students who performed well and students who performed poorly on traditional mathematics tests constructed their corresponding journal entries. Statistically significant differences found indicated that students who performed well on the tests were more likely to have originally composed the text and examples in their journal entries, and students who performed poorly were more likely to have copied much of the mathematical language and examples in their journal entries from their textbooks. Students who performed well on the test were also more likely to …

An Examination Of The Role Of Writing In Mathematics Instruction, Amy Jeppsen

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses qualitative methods to investigate the use of writing in a content course for elementary education majors in which writing was considered an important part of mathematical learning. The study differs from previous studies by investigating the role of writing in the everyday instructional activities, rather than investigating writing as a separate mathematical activity. An analysis of the instruction and class discussions that took place in this class reveals that components of writing that were addressed implicitly and explicitly in classroom instruction were developed simultaneously with conceptual understanding, suggesting a much stronger and more integral relationship between writing …

How Elementary School Teachers Learn To Teach Mathematics, Phyllis Schneider Kirschner

Educational Studies Dissertations

This study examines how elementary school teachers learned to teach mathematics during their pre-service education and during their first few years of teaching. The study identifies those experiences teachers found to be most significant in their development as mathematics teachers. All seven teachers in this study had been taught using procedural methods and each had to find a way to integrate conceptual mathematics education into their own understanding. The study examines the teachers' motivations for pursuing this understanding and the circumstances that provided opportunities to do so.

Integrating Writing To Enhance Mathematical Skills At The Elementary Level, Kendra J. Kupp

All Graduate Projects

The recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Washington State Commission on Student Learning Essential Academic Requirements are addressed. The benefits of integrating mathematics and writing are studied. Integrated activities and materials for a first and second grade mathematics curriculum are developed. Recommendations for implementing the project are given.

Real World Mathematics Skills Within The Elementary Resource Classroom, Stacy Schilperoort

All Graduate Projects

A project, including activities, to assist elementary special education teachers in incorporating real world mathematics skills within their own resource classrooms was developed. A literature review of current research on the topic of real world math skills in schools around the country is also included as part of this project. The literature indicates that students with learning disabilities might benefit and become better prepared for the future as adult citizens by receiving an education that includes math activities that relate to the real world outside the classroom walls.

A Study Of Calculator Usage On The Mathematics Achievement Of Seventh- And Eighth-Grade Students And On Attitudes Of Students And Teachers, Tracie Bidwell Ellerman

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of calculator usage on the mathematics achievement of seventh and eighth grade students as measured by the Mathematics Concepts and Applications sections of the California Achievement Test. The study also investigated the attitudes of students and teachers toward calculator usage. Student attitudes were measured through responses to the Student Calculator Survey. Teacher attitudes were measured through responses to the Attitude Instrument for Mathematics and Applied Technology-Version II.

Intact classes from two north central Louisiana school systems were assigned randomly to treatment and control groups. The sample consisted of 1070 students …

Measuring Tutoring Effectiveness By Program Delivery Model: Small Group Tutoring Compared To Tutoring In Labs In Mathematics, Physics, And Accounting, Mary A. Quinn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effectiveness of two common tutoring program delivery models by analyzing tutored and nontutored students' grades and semester grade point averages in three subject areas. The effects of gender, age (if 25 years or older), course, duration of tutoring, tutoring contacts, and contacts per week are also measured. The approach to the ex post facto study is quantitative and utilizes data from the Student Information System at Appalachian State University and from tutoring contact sheets. Areas of data presentation include analysis of covariance results for experimental group, gender, age (if 25 years or older), and course; and …

Interactive Television In The Classroom: A Comparison Of Student Math Achievement Among Three Instructional Settings, Sherri L. Hodge-Hardin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A dramatic expansion of distance learning through the use of interactive television (ITV) is allowing colleges and universities to offer students potentially unlimited access to educational and training opportunities. While the expanding information age beckons us to consider mechanisms for using communication technologies for the benefit of meeting the needs of learners in a variety of locations, the question may be raised--Is ITV an effective medium of instruction? This study examined the effectiveness of using an interactive television system to broadcast developmental algebra classes at East Tennessee State University. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were …

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.

An Automated Diagnostic Test And Tutorial Package For Basic Skills Of Mathematics In Post Secondary Vocational Education Of Kentucky: Construction And Validation, Odell D. Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to determine characteristics of entering vocational students in Kentucky Area/State vocational schools and to develop a computerized diagnostic instrument and tutorial package for assisting students in the mastery of necessary basic skills in mathematics. After specific math skills were identified in which proficiency is required of vocational education students, item pools were constructed for each skill. The skill item pools were validated using approximately 500 public school students throughout the grades of four through eight in public schools of Harlan County, Kentucky, Lee County, Virginia, and Washington County, Tennessee. The items within each …

Spatial Perception As A Predictor Of Success In Higher Mathematics, Lou A. Rolen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was to determine if spatial perception could be a predictor of success in higher mathematics. This study first showed correlations of the results of three spatial perception tests taken by high-school students with their final geometry grades. Structure of the Intellect-Learning Ability subtests CFS (cognition of figural systems) and CFT (cognition of figural transformations), as well as Differential Aptitude Tests-Space Relations subtest, were used. Correlations were then computed for high-school geometery grades with calculus I grades. Geometry thus was used as a bridge between spatial perception and calculus performance. Secondly, the investigator explored any difference …

Camas School District; Mathematics Curriculum, Student Learning Objectives K-8, Gregory C. Strohmaier

All Graduate Projects

The Camas School District; Student Learning Objectives (K-8) is designed to help school district personnel comply with Washington State Student Learning Objectives Law RCW 28A.58.090, which requires that all school districts in the state of Washington develop student learning objectives in the areas of reading, language arts, and mathematics. This guide was developed to identify, clarify, and catagorize, sets of goals and student learning objectives which will improve students' learning opportunities in the area of mathematics, and at the same time provide direction for the classroom teacher.

This guide does not reflect all of the goals and objectives taught at …

The Interrelationships Of Parent, Teacher, And Student Attitudes Toward Mathematics And Student Achievement In Mathematics, Sandra L. Blevins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to measure and analyse the relationships between the expressed attitudes toward mathematics of selected seventh grade students, their parents, and their former elementary school teachers and to relate these attitudes to student achievement In mathematics in elementary school. (Abstract shortened.)

An Educational Mathematics Game Called Allequator, Raymond Robert Beeson

All Graduate Projects

This paper contains a brief description of the procedures involved in making the game Allequator, an educational tool capable of reinforcing basic algebra concepts for students 7th through 12th grades. With the help of the Richland Public School District #400, Allequator has been published and is now available to teachers within the district.

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 …