Education Commons^™

Effectiveness Of Teaching Modalities For Pre-College Level Mathematics Courses, Dorothy Latuszek

Dissertations

College educators are challenged with providing students with choices of teaching modalities that facilitate student achievement and success at a time when students are also seeking flexible scheduling and accommodation of their differing learning styles. This is certainly the case for college students who need to demonstrate proficiency for the content in pre-college level mathematics courses prior to enrolling in college-level mathematics courses. The term "pre-college level" is defined as courses in reading, writing, and mathematics for college students lacking those skills necessary to perform college-levelcoursework at two- or four-year college institutions (Parsad & Lewis, 2003).

Do certain teaching modalities …

An Investigation Of Secondary Teachers’ Knowledge Of Rate Of Change In The Context Of Teaching A Standards-Based Curriculum, Jihwa Noh

Dissertations

This study investigated teachers' mathematical content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge with respect to rate of change in the context of teaching a Standards-based high school mathematics curriculum that emphasizes rate of change as a central theme, the Core-Plus Mathematics Project (CPMP) materials. A framework was designed to provide a comprehensive guide for analyzing different aspects of rate of change knowledge incorporating existing frameworks relative to rate of change, NCTM recommendations described in Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics andPrinciples and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000), and research related to pedagogical understanding of rate of change.

Data …

Numerical Integration Of Linear And Nonlinear Wave Equations, Laura Lynch

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

We begin our study with an analysis of various numerical methods and boundary conditions on the well-known and well-studied advection and wave equations, in particular we look at the FTCS, Lax, Lax-Wendroff, Leapfrog, and Iterated Crank Nicholson methods with periodic, outgoing, and Dirichlet boundary conditions. We will then extend our study to the nonlinear equation g_tt = g_xx – g_t²/g, introduced by Khoklov and Novikov. The nonlinearities are similar to those seen in General Relativity, and thus our analysis establishes the effects of numerical integration and boundary condition choices on the long-term stability …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending November 30, 2004, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

During the past three-months, the focus of the university’s efforts has been 1) making progress on the hiring of permanent project managers for the Education in the Environment Strategy and the Forever Earth / Wonderful Outdoor World on the Water (WOW) projects; 2) completing legal review of the cooperative agreement and standard operating procedures required for the university to assume operations of the Forever Earth vessel; and 3) writing curriculum for the WOW and Forever Earth projects.

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: November 16, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from October 19 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Presentation of Biology Curriculum Strands – Paul Buck (15 min.)
4. Discussion of Possible Advisory Board Structures – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
5. Update from Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom (20 min.)
6. Discussion of Student Risk Analysis/Liability Issues (15 min.)
7. Standing Reports (10 minutes)
   A. UNLV/CESU Update – Nancy Flagg
   B. BLM Update – Michael Reiland
8. Committee Reports (5 min.)
   A. Building Committee – Angie Lara
9. Open Discussion / New Business (5 min.)
   A. January Meeting – Tuesday, January 18, 10:30 a.m., UNLV Paradise
   Campus
   B. Core …

What Factors Contribute To The Success Of African American Women In Science And Mathematics: Do Teaching Techniques Matter, Sheryl Mcglamery

Teacher Education Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

The session content will focus on the author's research about effective teaching techniques that engage and assist African American women (and others) in succeeding in science and mathematics courses. Several case studies will highlight the effective practice focus of this session.

Ists E-Newsletter, November 2004, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes from Your President

--ISTS Fall '04 Conference Comments

--Announcements—a slew of opportunities

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Stressing Concepts And Teaching In The Classroom: A Low-Technology Approach Using Concept Tests And Classroom Polls, Walter S. Borowski

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Electronic student response technologies can be used effectively to increase learning in the classroom. Although these systems are not terribly expensive, their purchase may be out of reach for many departments and institutions. Here we model a low-technology approach that stresses active learning, peer teaching, and testing student understanding of key concepts by using think-pair-share sessions and in-class responses to key concept-test questions.

Questions used in class are chosen carefully to emphasize a concept essential to understanding some aspect of geoscience in an introductory geology course. Each class involves the introduction of a key concept question or questions followed by: …

Assessing The Nature Of Science Views Of Singaporean Pre-Service Teachers, Tan L. Thye, Boo H. Kwen

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Despite the many developments in the teaching of science, an aspect that continues to be neglected appears to be the character and nature of science (NOS). This is becoming especially important in the light of recent developments in pedagogy, as, for example, more teachers adopt constructivist methodologies and computing technology enables simulations that may blur the lines between models and reality. From the literature, it is known that teachers' modern NOS conceptions, though not a sufficient condition for transmission of modern NOS views, is necessary. In this study, pre-service teachers' NOS conceptions are assessed with an adapted Views of the …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: October 19, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from September 21 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Review & Discussion of Suggested Core Curriculum Themes – Jeanne Klockow/Michael Reiland (20 min.)
4. Update from Line and Space Architects – Les Wallach/Henry Tom (20 min.)
5. Standing Reports (20 minutes)
   A. UNLV/CESU Update – Nancy Flagg
   C. BLM Update – Michael Reiland
6. Committee Reports (10 min.)
   A. Building – Angie Lara
   B. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   C. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   D. Fund-Raising & Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   E. NEPA – Charles Carroll
   F. Operations – Jack Ramsey
   G. Other Uses – Pat Williams
   H. Wild …

Dynamic Web Tools For Undergraduate Mathematics, Mike Martin, Steven J. Wilson

Innovations in Math Technology

The internet has become widely available, and tools for mathematical computation on the net have now appeared. The authors used webMathematica software to create interactive web pages which allow students and faculty to compute and visualize results directly from a web browser. The nature of the innovation, its significance for instruction, and some implications for student understanding are discussed.

Mathematics Placement Test: Helping Students Succeed, Norma Rueda, Carole Sokolowski

Mathematics Faculty Publications

A study was conducted at Merrimack College in Massachusetts to compare the grades of students who took the recommended course as determined by their mathematics placement exam score and those who did not follow this recommendation. The goal was to decide whether the mathematics placement exam used at Merrimack College was effective in placing students in the appropriate mathematics class. During five years, first-year students who took a mathematics course in the fall semester were categorized into four groups: those who took the recommended course, those who took an easier course than recommended, those who took a course more difficult …

Ists E-Newsletter, October 2004, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes from Your President

--October 21: ISTS Fall ’04 Conference and Chairman’s invitation

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

--Announcements

Talent Development In Science: A Unique Tale Of One Student's Journey, Terry W. Neu, Susan M. Baum, Carolyn R. Cooper

Education Faculty Publications

This narrative presents the educational route followed by an Intel Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) winner who was not always recognized for his scientific abilities. Factors contributing to the success of this gifted student are presented, as well as his creative insights for solving the problem that gave rise to the winning project. Further, the major issues that emerged from this student's story can inform both professional development and instructional practice. These issues include: the need to recognize science talent or creative productive behaviors in students with special needs; students' need for an experiential science curriculum that incorporates multidisciplinary …

The Relationships Of Teachers' Levels Of Technology Integration On Student Achievement In Reading And Mathematics, Valerie S. Fields

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent the level of technology integration of fourth and eighth grade teachers in eleven rural school districts in northeastern Louisiana related to student achievement in reading and mathematics.

The sample consisted of 123 fourth and eighth grade teachers and their students from the eleven rural school districts in northeastern Louisiana. Fifty-eight percent of the teachers represented the fourth grade and 42% of the teachers represented the eighth grade. The teachers served a school age population in which 20% or more was from families with incomes below the poverty line.

Mean …

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network – Fall 2004

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network

Content:

Careers for Students – Help Them Think Outside the Box by Dave Gosselin, NESEN Director

NATS Annual Conference

University of Nebraska State Museum Virtual Tour by Kathy French, Education Coordinator, University of Nebraska State Museum

Measurements from Nearly 5,000 Wells Show Groundwater Declines by Steven Ress

Second Annual Water Law, Policy and Science Conference

UNL Natural Resources Lectures Focus on Environment, Ecology by Steven Ress

Environmental studies students chart multiple careers, find many prospects by George Green

Job opportunities for foresters should be plentiful by George Green

Prospective Teachers’ Ability To Pose Word Problems, Nusrat Fatima Rizvi

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

The purpose of this study was to assess difference in prospective teachers’ ability to pose word problems for mathematical expressions involving division before and after an instruction intervention. After the initial assessment of participants’ ability to pose word problems for division expressions, the researcher introduced an alternative model i.e. rate or ratio to represent division involving whole numbers. After the intervention it was assessed whether the model helped the prospective teachers develop word problems for division of fractions. The findings revealed that the prospective teachers successfully posed word problems for division of whole numbers based on intuitive model of fair …

Randy's Return: A Case Study In Food Safety Regulation, Matthew Laposata

Faculty and Research Publications

No abstract provided.

Math Anxiety: Causes, Effects, And Preventative Measures, Megan R. Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Math anxiety is a real problem facing students and teachers today. The mathematics teacher especially needs to understand the causes and effects of math anxiety as well as ways to help students overcome it. There are many symptoms of math anxiety including an unwillingness to attempt mathematics problems, a fear of taking advanced mathematics classes, and being unusually nervous when in mathematics class. Math anxiety hinders students' working memory (Perina, 2002). It occurs at different ages in different people for different reasons. The main cause of math anxiety is the teacher himself It has been shown that students tend to …

Red Rock Desert Learning Center Core Group Meeting: September 21, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 min.)
2. Approval of Minutes from August 17 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Potential Tie-in with City of Las Vegas New Directions YouthArts Program –
   Markus Tracy (20 min.)
4. Presentation of Education in the Environment Curriculum Matrix and correlation to
   RRDLC curriculum development – Jeanne Klockow (30 min.)
5. Discussion of Policy-making Board for the Center – Michael Reiland (15 min.)
6. Discussion of Observatory Location – Michael Reiland (25 min.)
7. Standing Reports (20 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Architects Update – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. UNLV/CESU Update – Nancy Flagg
   C. RRCNCA Capital Improvements Update – BLM
8. Committee Reports (10 min.)
   A. …

Education In The Environment Partnership, Public Lands Institute

Presentations (PLI Education)

• Update on Oliver Ranch
• Update on Forever Earth
• Update on WOW on the Water

Engagement Enhance Interest In Physics, Harcharan Pardhan

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

How To Make The Teaching Of Transfer Of Heat More Effective, Muhammad Nabi Khan, Amos Ngugi

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Teachers’ Conceptions Of The Nature Of Science: A Comparative Study From Pakistan And Uk, Nelofer Halai, Jane Mcnicholl

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Curriculum designers in both Pakistan and the UK accept that science education for today’s young people should not just be about learning science, it should also include learning about the nature of science. However, together with other research evidence, this article suggests that for many science teachers, teaching about the nature of science might be problematic as they do not have the necessary understanding of the nature of science themselves. This article also argues that there are benefits in teachers across cultural divides sharing their understandings about the nature of science.

Helping Children To Understand Particulate Nature Of Matter, Muhammad Riaz

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Whenever I taught about the particulate nature of matter in solids, liquids and gases, I often had difficulty explaining this abstract concept to my students. The students, in turn, had much difficulty conceptualizing the structure and behavior of the particles, which ultimately led to difficulties in understanding the complex configuration of particles in matter at various levels. This article focuses on studies that reveal students’ alternative frameworks for the particulate nature of matter in solids, liquids and gases. Also, I suggest factors that contribute to these alternative frameworks, incorporating my own experiences in developing an understanding of this concept. Finally, …

Reflection On Learning About Forces, Mir Zaman Shah, Mahmood Ghaznavi, Mohammad Ibrahim Khan

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Force is a basic concept in the physical sciences. It is included in Pakistan’s national curriculum from the primary level through the higher levels. Because of the abstract nature of the concept of force, both students and teachers have alternative frameworks in this area. This was revealed in our classroom discussions on force during the Lower Secondary Science Module of the M.Ed. program at the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) in Karachi, Pakistan. In-depth discussions and a variety of activities we carried out while teaching about forces challenged our previous concepts and allowed us to think critically …

Education In The Environment: A Hands-On Student Research And Outdoor Learning Experience: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending August 31, 2004, Environmental Education Strategy For Nevada

Reports (PLI Education)

In the first three months of this agreement, UNLV has met with the Outside Las Vegas Environmental Education Committee to establish the duties of and create detailed job announcements for the project managers for the Environmental Education Strategy and for the Forever Earth/WOW Program. Although the university had planned to meet with the committee at its June meeting, that meeting was cancelled due to summer scheduling conflicts among the committee members. Subsequently, Dr. Peg Rees and Nancy Flagg met with the committee on July 14,2004. The committee was brought up-to-date on goals and deliverables of the task agreement, UNLV’s role …

Oliver Ranch Core Group Meeting: August 17, 2004, Red Rock Desert Learning Center

Reports (RRLC)

1. Introductions (5 minutes)
2. Approval of Minutes from June 15 Meeting (5 minutes)
3. Review of Draft Talking Points/FAQ – Nancy Flagg (30 min)
4. Discussion of Wild Horse and Burro Facility – Billie Young (30 min.)
5. Standing Reports (30 minutes)
   A. Line and Space Update – Les Wallach/Henry Tom
   B. UNLV/CESU Update – Peg Rees/Nancy Flagg
   C. RRCNRA Capital Improvements Update – Mark Morse/Michael Reiland
6. ORSS Committee Reports (15 minutes)
   A. Design Oversight – David Frommer
   B. Educational Programs – Paul Buck
   C. Fund-Raising & Partnerships – Blaine Benedict
   D. NEPA – Charles Carroll
   E. Operations – Jack Ramsey
   F. Other Uses …

Efficacy Of Solution-Focused Brief Counseling On Math Assignment Completion And Accuracy In An Elementary School, Jamie Leigh Yarbrough

Doctoral Dissertations

A multiple-baseline-across-participants design was used to evaluate the efficacy of Solution-focused Brief Counseling (SFBC) for six fifth grade students with math assignment completion problems. Weekly 30-minute sessions of SFBC for 5 weeks were sufficient to produce increases in both completion rates (from 29% completion during baseline to 79.63% during treatment) and accuracy rates (from 23.50% during baseline to 50.01% during treatment). Most increases were maintained during a 1 to 3 week follow up period. In addition, the criterion-related validity of Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) was evaluated by comparing predicted completion and accuracy rates to actual achievement. Independent t tests between …

How We Think About And Prepare To Teach Physics, Dewey I. Dykstra

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

We have been preparing physics teachers in the same manner for many decades. Yet, physics education research reveals for some observers disturbing evidence of little or no change in understanding the phenomena occurs as a direct result of physics instruction from elementary school through the college years. The apparent compatibility between these learning results and prevailing paradigm enables the construction of a description the paradigm. If it can be demonstrated that there is even just one alternative paradigm from which powerful alternative pedagogical practice is derived, are we not obligated to change how we prepare to teach physics?