Education Commons^™

Teaching And Learning Algebra 1 Via An Intelligent Tutor System: Effects On Student Engagement And Achievement, Karen Kerner Lucas

Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated the implementation and outcomes of blended learning that integrated Apangea Math, an online intelligent tutor system (ITS), with face-to-face instruction for the teaching and learning of Algebra 1. It took place in a Title I urban high school where 75 ninth grade students and their teachers enacted the blended learning program for one semester. Students from the same high school who received face-to-face instruction alone during a previous semester served as a comparison group. Flow theory was proposed as an explanation for why the ITS program was expected to increase student engagement and improve student achievement.

This …

Proving Operations With Numbers By Using Manipulatives, Jonathan Bostic

School of Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

We will explore number theory topics found in the Common Core State Standards and discuss ways to support student engagement in proof and reasoning. Participants will create proofs for operations with numbers by using manipulatives such as Unifix cubes and base-ten blocks. I will share implications for mathematics teacher educators and teachers.

Characteristics Of The Questioning Techniques Used By Effective Elementary Teachers During Mathematics And Language Arts Lessons, Rochelle Goldberg Kaplan, Geraldine Mongillog, Dorothy Feola

NERA Conference Proceedings 2012

This presentation examined the questioning techniques used by two effective second grade New Jersey teachers, one during a mathematics lesson and the other during a language arts lesson. The mathematics lesson took place in an urban bilingual school and the language arts lesson took place in a monolingual suburban school. The extent to which the teachers used similar or different questioning techniques across the subject areas and school communities was examined. The presentation shares results of the analyses of the videotaped lessons and suggests a framework for describing key factors contributing to the teachers’ effectiveness.

Improving Pre-Service Teachers’ Adaptive Metacognitive Practices Through Reflective Writing, Joanne E. Goodell

Joanne E Goodell

In this study, the use of critical incident reflective writing as a means to engage pre-service secondary mathematics teachers in adaptive metacognitive practices is discussed. This basic interpretive qualitative study uses a sample of 5 incident reports from each of 37 students whose final papers were previously analyzed (for possible total of 185 incident reports). The qualitative data analysis software N-Vivo was used to code each incident using a broad initial set of codes which present evidence of teachers’ personal practical theories (PPTs), a vision of teaching that they would like to see enacted in their classroom, a sense of …

Conceptual Understanding Of Fractions And Decimals For Fourth Grade Students, Sarah J. Appleton

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

A study was conducted in two 4th grade classrooms based on current research of foundational concepts of fraction and decimal knowledge, socio-cultural learning theory, cognition and international mathematics education. The goal of this study was for students to acquire conceptual and procedural knowledge of fraction and decimal concepts. When students have multiple experiences delving into rigorous tasks with fractions and decimals, researchers (Lamon, 2006; Siegler & Alibali 2005) suggest students will show an increase in understanding. Cognition and developmental stages were examined and incorporated within the suggested tasks of the instructional unit. With assistance from current research, this study demonstrated …

Mathematical Literacy: Are We There Yet?, Ross Turner

Ross Turner

On The Nature Of Students' Digital Mathematical Performances, Ricardo Scucuglia Rodrigues Da Silva

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In this study I investigate the nature of digital mathematical performances (DMPs) produced by elementary school students (Grades 4-6). A DMP is a multimodal text/narrative (e.g., a video) in which one uses the performance arts to communicate mathematical ideas. I analyze twenty-two DMPs available at the Math + Science Performance Festival in 2008. Assuming a sociocultural/postmodern perspective with emphasis on multimodality, my focus is on the role of the arts and technology in shaping students’ mathematical communication and thinking. Methodologically, I employ qualitative case studies, along with video analysis. I conduct a descriptive analysis of each DMP using Boorstin’s (1990) …

Adding Music To The Math Equation, Phil Luster-Bartz

Education Senior Action Research Projects

Depending on the material covered on any particular day, students may end up with anywhere from 5 minutes to 35 minutes to do their homework in class. Unfortunately, students will only stay on task for so long before they get off task. This research project will investigate the effects of playing classical music during in-class work time on the work ethic and environment of the classroom.

Productive Peer Culture: Algebra Project Students’ View, Melva R. Grant

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine students’ perspectives about productive peer culture for mathematics learning. The participating students were attending an annual residential summer institute and have been participating in Algebra Project activities for at least one year. Of the 26 high school students attending the institute, they all participate in mathematics literacy work1 through their local Young People’s Project (YPP) groups, while 20 of those students also receive their regular school-based mathematics instruction within an Algebra Project Cohort Model (APCM) structured classroom².

The Algebra Project targeted persistently underserved mathematics students who typically scored in the …

Implementing A Blended Model Of Mathematics Instruction – Issues And Outcomes, Natasha Brewley, Alvina Atkinson, Barry Biddlecomb

SoTL Commons Conference

The session will present issues and results from the implementation of a blended instruction model at the authors' institution. The blended instruction model involves coming together as a class less often and encourages student learning by making them more responsible for their learning outside of the classroom. In addition to describing the authors' home institution, this presentation will have three objectives: (1) Describe the blended instructional model (What is Blended learning and what does it look like?), (2) Present student evaluations. (What have students said about taking a course like this?), and (3) Present quantitative comparisons between blended and traditional …

The Effects Of Single-Gender Math Classroom Activities On The Achievement And Behavior Outcomes Of Fifth-Grade Girls And Boys At A Public Elementary School, Erik P. Chaussee

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to examine single-gender schools and/or classes as a method of improving student achievement and gaining greater satisfaction in school. The paper will further examine the effects of single-gender classes on student achievement, the academic gender gap, and the attitudes of students and teachers. It will also look at the legal implications of such a practice. In addition, it will examine a variety of school district's past methods and structures in order to implement a single-gender school or single-gender classes within a coed school including other programs within schools.

"I'Ve Come Too Far, I'Ve Worked Too Hard!": Reinforcement Of Support Structures Among Black Male Mathematics Students, Clarence L. Terry Sr, Ebony O. Mcgee

Clarence "La Mont" Terry, Sr.

Along with the growth and refinement of our shared discourses on equity, the community of education researchers focused on Black males has developed lenses with which to examine the risk and protective factors related to Black males’ participation in and experiences with mathematics. In this paper, the authors focus on the importance of the “supports” associated with mathematically high-­achieving Black high school students in urban high schools. Using Critical Race Theory and narrative analysis, the authors report findings from semi-structured interviews of mathematically-successful Black male students (n = 12) from four urban high schools. Analysis of key themes suggests that …