Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Children's Voices: Students' Attitudes About Routine And Nonroutine Mathematics, Deborah E. Seacrest

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

This dissertation is a case study focused on the question, "What are students' attitudes toward school mathematics and toward nonroutine math problems and mathematical games?" It addresses the definitions of some of those terms and then moves on to a literature review that suggests that some change in the curriculum may be needed. In an attempt to begin determining whether nonroutine problems and mathematical games could help, students in two different types of classes were introduced to such problems and games. Their attitudes were assessed using a variety of methods, including observation, interview, and journal writing.

The games and problems …

Wind For Schools: Fostering The Human Talent Supply Chain For A 20% Wind Energy Future, Ian Baring-Gould

Publications (E)

As the United States dramatically expands wind energy deployment, the industry is challenged with developing a skilled workforce and addressing public resistance. Wind Powering America’s Wind for Schools project addresses these issues by:
• Developing Wind Application Centers (WACs) at universities; WAC students assist in implementing school wind turbines and participate in wind courses
• Installing small wind turbines at community “host” schools
• Implementing teacher training with interactive curricula at each host school.

Loving The World And Our Children Enough--Nurturing Decidedly Different Scientifc Minds, By Design, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Publications & Research

Wise world-shaping and problem-solving requires that we and our children think in decidedly different, integral and wise ways. This transformation requires a fundamental shift in consciousness and the emergence of global minds that can creatively live into a new worldview of an interconnected planet and a sustainable and interdependent human family. "The fullness of our humanity and the sustainability of our planet rest with the nurturing of decidedly different minds."

An Analysis Of Mathematics Interventions: Increased Time-On-Task Compared With Computer-Assisted Mathematics Instruction, James M. Calhoun Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student achievement is not progressing on mathematics as measured by state, national, and international assessments. Much of the research points to mathematics curriculum and instruction as the root cause of student failure to achieve at levels comparable to other nations. Since mathematics is regarded as a gate keeper to many educational opportunities as well as, eventually, potential job prospects, critics are asking schools to fix the problem.

This research project is a comparison of two different interventions used to improve student performance as tested on the Colorado State Assessment Program (CSAP). The first intervention, increased time-on-task, was used at Freedom …

Advanced Topics From "An Introduction To Categorical Data Analysis" Chapters 7,8,9, Tyler Diestel

Statistics

This project explored Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of “An Introduction to Categorical and Data Analysis” by Alan Agresti. Chapter 7 describes how to use loglinear models to analyze categorical data in multi-way contingency tables. Chapter 8 shows how to deal with data in which there are matched pairs. Lastly, Chapter 9 presents models that describe data that contain repeated responses or clusters.

‘New Directions For Traditional Lessons’: Can Handheld Game Consoles Enhance Mental Mathematics Skills?, Susan Main, John O’Rourke

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This paper reports on a pilot study that compared the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) handheld game consoles (HGCs) with traditional teaching methods to develop the automaticity of mathematical calculations and self-concept towards mathematics for year 4 students in two metropolitan schools. One class conducted daily sessions using the HGCs and the Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training software to enhance their mental maths skills while the comparison class engaged in mental maths lessons using more traditional classroom approaches. Students were assessed using standardised tests at the beginning and completion of the term and findings indicated that students who undertook the Brain …

Applications Of The Theories Of Mikhail Bakhtin In Science Education, Jason Delgatto

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the work of Russian philosopher and literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin (1895 – 1975), and more specifically, how his theories on language in a social context apply to science education.  In response to ongoing concerns regarding declining student achievement in the sciences, this paper follows a growing trend to integrate perspectives from the fields of language, anthropology and sociology, in order to reform science instruction and improve student scientific literacy.  Bakhtin’s major theories around dialogue, and his views on the celebration of carnival, are presented through an analysis of secondary resources that …

Year-Round Calendars At The High School Level, Matthew Nohner

Mathematics Graduate Theses

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of a year round calendar on math scores at the high school level. Students forget facts, especially math facts, over long extended breaks. Year round calendars aim to address this dilemma by minimizing long breaks from learning. The results of year round calendars have been mixed. Some schools have reported both academic and monetary gains after switching from a traditional calendar, while other schools have seen modest gains in student learning. All studies cited in this paper report that at-risk and low socioeconomic students benefit academically from a year round …

Education In The Environment: A Strategy For Continued Interagency Outdoor Education Programming: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending February 28, 2011, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

Highlights of the university’s focused efforts during the past three months include the following:

• One Families in Nature events was held, benefitting approximately 25 people.
• Presentations were given about the Nevada Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights to senior staff at Clark County Parks and Recreation and to the Southern Nevada Regional Open Space and Trails working group.
• A total of 12 people completed all requirements and successfully graduated from the Nevada State Certification in Environmental Education and Interpretation program.
• Forever Earth was scheduled for 29 days and served 975 people.

Ists, February 2011, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes and News

--Opportunities

An Interview With Andrew Revkin, Bob Wyss

Wrack Lines

Bob Wyss interviews journalist and activist Andy Revkin on climate change

Using Technology To Increase Interest In The Learning Of Mathematics, Teresa May Anderson

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop unit openers in the form of PowerPoint presentations to introduce students to upcoming topics. Within the PowerPoint presentations, relevant visual images are used to pique the interest of the students. Also, within the presentations are opportunities for students to use a hand-held Student Response System to respond to questions. The questions the students answer are related to the upcoming material. After responses are entered, a visual display will show the responses and discussion will follow between the students and the teacher. The project will be used in geometry mathematics classrooms at the …

Imsa Promise: Providing Opportunities For Mathematics And Science Enrichment, Illinois Mathematics And Science Academy

Promise Programs

PROMISE – Leading Students 2 Success (LS2S) is a cross-age cooperative learning program for 7th and 8th graders designed to expose students to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) -related experiences and introduce them to inquiry/problem-based learning. Through a process of collaboration, discussion and analytical exploration of mathematical and scientific concepts, LS2S assists students in enhancing their academic and interpersonal endeavors.

Predictors Of Student Outcomes In Developmental Math At A Public Community And Technical College, Linda Darlene Hunt

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

With the wide range of abilities of community college students, proper course placement is crucial. Therefore, having better predictors of success can help improve placement of students for their achievement. This study analyzed student predictors, instructor predictors, and classroom predictors in relation to student final exam score and student final grade in Elementary Algebra and Intermediate Algebra classes. Student predictors included gender, ACT math score, SAT math score, community college enrollment, math pretest score, and ASC grade. Instructor predictors included gender, employment status, Mozart music use, and ALEKS software use. Classroom predictors included time of day, number of class meetings …

Research In Mathematics Educational Technology: Current Trends And Future Demands, Shannon O. Driskell, Robert N. Ronau, Christopher R. Rakes, Sarah B. Bush, Margaret L. Niess, David K. Pugalee

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This systematic review of mathematics educational technology literature identified 1356 manuscripts addressing the integration of educational technology into mathematics instruction. The manuscripts were analyzed using three frameworks (Research Design, Teacher Knowledge, and TPACK) and three supplementary lenses (Data Sources, Outcomes, and NCTM Principles) to produce a database to support future research syntheses and meta-analyses. Preliminary analyses of student and teacher outcomes (e.g., knowledge, cognition, affect, and performance) suggest that the effects of incorporating graphing calculator and dynamic geometry technologies have been abundantly studied; however, the usefulness of the results was often limited by missing information regarding measures of validity, reliability, …

Title Page - Table Of Contents

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

No abstract provided.

What’S My Motivation? Ideas For Rethinking Student Assessment, Jerrid Kruse

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

Three of the articles in this issue of the Iowa Science Teachers Journal address assessment in the science classroom. Jesse Wilcox and Frank Noschese each discuss standards-based grading (SBG). Frank provides examples of his approach to SBG in his physics classes and makes a strong case for SBG while Jesse adds detail by sharing the frameworks he uses to inform and implement his SBG practices. Joe Bower goes a bit further by encouraging readers to consider why we assign grades at all. Each of the articles raises important, and related, points about the connection between assessment and motivation.

One Touchy Topic: Targeting Students’ Sense Of Touch Through Multiple Activities, Ally Shinar, Rabihah Simmons, Megan Ross

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This article provides exploratory experiences for First Grade students to refine their understanding of their sense of touch and develop their observation skills. The activities scaffold from open-ended exploratory investigations to application activities in which students categorize items using their understanding of touch. The activities also make explicit links to help students develop language and writing skills. This activity promotes National Science Education Content Standards A and B, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Growing Minds: Planting A Lasting Seed Using The Learning Cycle, Jennifer Nicole Prindle, Lori Marie Ihrig

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This article highlights modifying a common early elementary activity to move instruction beyond isolated activities into a full unit of instruction using the learning cycle. The unit is designed to tackle students' misconceptions and deepen their understanding of scientific inquiry and the growing requirements of plants. This activity promotes National Science Education Standards A and C, and Iowa Teaching Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

All Bottled Up: An Inquiry Activity Using Bottles To Teach The Effect Of Water Temperature On Dissolved Gas, Collin Reichert, Curtis Titter

Iowa Science Teachers Journal

This article describes an inquiry activity that promotes an accurate and deep understanding of key components of the carbon cycle, namely the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas between the atmosphere and the ocean, and how temperature affects this exchange. The crucial role of the teacher during this activity is described, including key questions and interactions that help students arrive at deep and robust understandings of the carbon cycle and nature of science ideas. This article promotes High School National Science Education Content Standards A, B, D, and G, Iowa Core Curriculum 1 and 3, and Iowa Teaching …