Current Search: Mathematics--Study and teaching (x)
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- Title
- A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REGULARLY ASSIGNED, REGULARLY COLLECTED, PROMPTLY CORRECTED, AND PROMPTLY RETURNED HOMEWORK IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE MATHEMATICS CLASSES.
- Creator
- DYER, PATRICIA WOODWORTH., Florida Atlantic University, Burgess, Ernest E.
- Abstract/Description
-
This study was designed to determine the effects of requiring student completion and submission of homework problem assignments, their correction and return, on a regular basis, on community college student achievement in two mathematics courses. These courses were introductory college algebra (designated Mathematics X) and college algebra (designated Mathematics Y). Additionally, student persistence in the courses was studied. Implications of the study included the following: 1. Requiring...
Show moreThis study was designed to determine the effects of requiring student completion and submission of homework problem assignments, their correction and return, on a regular basis, on community college student achievement in two mathematics courses. These courses were introductory college algebra (designated Mathematics X) and college algebra (designated Mathematics Y). Additionally, student persistence in the courses was studied. Implications of the study included the following: 1. Requiring homework problem assignments to be completed and submitted on a regular basis as a teaching aid is acceptable for the instructor who approves of this practice. For the instructor who does not, any other teaching tool currently in use is equally effective. 2. Proper placement in the mathematics sequence may be the influential factor for persistence. This was indicated by the one statistically significant experimental outcome. Recommendations for further study included the following: 1. Determination of methods to improve instruction in community college mathematics courses. 2. Determination of improved placement techniques for students in community college mathematics courses. 3. Determination of factors which increase persistence. 4. Determination of factors which will reduce the large within-groups variance found in this study (which may be the placement techniques mentioned above).
Show less - Date Issued
- 1976
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11664
- Subject Headings
- Mathematics--Study and teaching (Higher), Homework
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A STUDY OF WITHDRAWALS OF MATHEMATICS STUDENTS AT INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
- Creator
- DEAL, THOMAS CONNOLLY., Florida Atlantic University, Smith, Lawrence E.
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between students who withdrew from selected mathematics courses and students who completed selected mathematics courses at Indian River Community College for the academic years 1975-76, 1976-77, and 1977-78. Summary: Two types of withdrawals were considered; formal withdrawal and informal withdrawal. Formal withdrawal was defined to be those students who officially withdrew from a course. Informal withdrawal was defined to be those...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between students who withdrew from selected mathematics courses and students who completed selected mathematics courses at Indian River Community College for the academic years 1975-76, 1976-77, and 1977-78. Summary: Two types of withdrawals were considered; formal withdrawal and informal withdrawal. Formal withdrawal was defined to be those students who officially withdrew from a course. Informal withdrawal was defined to be those students who ceased to attend class but had not gone through official channels of withdrawal. In analyzing the problem of withdrawals, prerequisite skills and the socio-economic level of the student were considered. The lack of prerequisite skills was determined by the score the students attained on the Indian River Community College Mathematics Placement Test. The socio-economic level of the student was determined by whether or not the individual was receiving financial assistance through a Basic Economic Opportunity Grant. A review of the literature showed that many factors contributed to the success or failure of students. Among the many factors were necessary prerequisite skills and socio-economic level of students, two areas of concentration in this study. Conclusions: 1. There was a significant difference in prerequisite skills between those students who withdrew and those students who completed selected mathematics courses. 2. There was a significant difference between the proportion of formal withdrawals from College Algebra for those students identified as socio-economically deprived and those students identified as nonsocio-economically deprived. 3. There was a significant difference between the proportion of informal withdrawals from the lower level freshman mathematics courses for students identified as socio-economically deprived and those students identified as nonsocio-economically deprived.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1978
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11719
- Subject Headings
- Mathematics--Study and teaching--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A comparison of practices for teaching math word problems in Turkey and the United States.
- Creator
- Erkan, Betul, Zainuddin, Hanizah, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
This multiple case study investigated pedagogical differences and similarities among practices used to teach word problems in private schools of Turkey and the United States, the factors impacting teachers’ instructional decisions, and their approaches to teaching word problems as well as the role of culture in teaching and learning word problems. Quantitative survey data were collected from 28 Turkish and 27 U.S. high school mathematics teachers from private or independent schools. The...
Show moreThis multiple case study investigated pedagogical differences and similarities among practices used to teach word problems in private schools of Turkey and the United States, the factors impacting teachers’ instructional decisions, and their approaches to teaching word problems as well as the role of culture in teaching and learning word problems. Quantitative survey data were collected from 28 Turkish and 27 U.S. high school mathematics teachers from private or independent schools. The survey investigated teachers’ background information, resources used, and their use of teaching practices (teacher-centered, student-centered, concrete-visualizing, analytical) and types of word problems (true or practice-oriented) as well as their thoughts about the structure of word problems. Qualitative data were collected through classroom observations, videotaping, and focus-group interviews from four ninth grade algebra teachers in Turkey and the United States. Qualitative data helped the researcher expand upon the quantitative findings and examine how word problems actually were being taught in the classroom, the factors impacting teachers’ instruction and approaches to teaching word problems, and participants’ reflections on their own practices as well as on their international partners’ word problems instruction. The findings indicated no significant difference for most survey items, but descriptive statistical analysis revealed that Turkish survey participants incorporated teacher-centered, concrete-visualizing practices, and practice-oriented word problems more often in their instruction, while U.S. survey participants frequently used student centered, concrete-visualizing practices, and true problems. Qualitative findings pointed out what specific teaching practices were evident in the classrooms observed and videotaped in Turkey and the United States. While Turkish teachers thought the university entrance examination and national curriculum had the biggest impact on their teaching, U.S. teachers found school environment (traditional versus progressive) and student perception of word problems as influential on their instruction. The role of culture on teaching and learning word problems was observed in regard to teacher centered versus student-centered instruction, teacher versus student role, and student engagement. Study findings also indicated that cross-examination of teaching promotes teachers’ reflection on their own practices and, thus, should be encouraged and promoted across STEM disciplines and throughout a teaching career. Implications and recommendations for future research, curriculum developers, and mathematics teachers are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004193, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004193
- Subject Headings
- Educational tests and measurements, Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Cross cultural studies, Word problems (Mathematics) -- Study and teaching -- Turkey, Word problems (Mathematics) -- Study and teaching -- United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Euclid, the van Hiele levels, and the Geometer's Sketchpad.
- Creator
- Thompson, Elpida, Florida Atlantic University, Yiu, Paul Y.
- Abstract/Description
-
As an educator, my greatest concern is to provide my students with instruction that will raise their level of understanding in mathematics. For geometry in particular, the van Hiele Theory is a way to measure a student's level of geometric understanding. Geometry instruction that raises a student's van Hiele level can be enhanced with two important resources, the ancient text of Euclid's Elements a contemporary dynamic geometry software program like the Geometer's Sketchpad. Euclid's Elements...
Show moreAs an educator, my greatest concern is to provide my students with instruction that will raise their level of understanding in mathematics. For geometry in particular, the van Hiele Theory is a way to measure a student's level of geometric understanding. Geometry instruction that raises a student's van Hiele level can be enhanced with two important resources, the ancient text of Euclid's Elements a contemporary dynamic geometry software program like the Geometer's Sketchpad. Euclid's Elements can be read as a book of geometric constructions rather than a list of theorems neatly arranged in logical order. The Geometer's Sketchpad is a convenient and efficient tool for geometric constructions. It is only natural to incorporate these two resources in geometry instruction. The logical structure of Euclid's Elements is intimidating to most learners, but teaching and learning need not be pursued logically linearly. This thesis is an attempt to incorporate some of the important constructions in Euclid's Elements with Geometer's Sketchpad, through the design of instruction modules in geometric constructions, to help students better understand geometry, and to improve their van Hiele level of understanding of geometry.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13366
- Subject Headings
- Geometry--Study and teaching (Secondary), Mathematics--Study and teaching--Technological innovations
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Influence of bilingualism on simple arithmetic.
- Creator
- Nishat, Towhid, Rosselli, Monica, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
It has been widely hypothesized that while doing arithmetic, individuals use two distinct routes for phonological output. A direct route is used for exact arithmetic which is language dependent, while an indirect route is used during arithmetic approximation and thought to be language independent. The arithmetic double route has been incorporated on the triple- code model that consists of visual arabic code for identifying strings of digits, magnitude code for knowledge in numeral quantities,...
Show moreIt has been widely hypothesized that while doing arithmetic, individuals use two distinct routes for phonological output. A direct route is used for exact arithmetic which is language dependent, while an indirect route is used during arithmetic approximation and thought to be language independent. The arithmetic double route has been incorporated on the triple- code model that consists of visual arabic code for identifying strings of digits, magnitude code for knowledge in numeral quantities, and verbal code for rote arithmetic fact. Our goal is to investigate whether language experience has an effect on the processing of exact/approximation math using bilingual participants who have access to two languages, using a theoretical arithmetic processing model, which has been validated across many studies. We have measured the two groups (monolinguals/bilinguals) processing speed for completing the two tasks (Exact/Approximation) in two codes (Arabic digit/Verbal). We hypothesized a faster reaction time in exact arithmetic task in compared to approximation in accordance with the triple-code model. We alsoexpected a main effect for the task (Exact vs.Approximation) independent of the input code when the stimulus was presented in either Arabic digit and/or verbal codes. Our results show exact arithmetic is faster than approximation of arithmetic facts in all codes supporting earlier theories. Also, there was no significant difference in processing speed between monolinguals and bilinguals when performing the arithmetic task in either Arabic and/or verbal codes. In addition, our investigation suggests a modification to the triple-code model when interpreting arithmetic facts in verbal code due to interference of two languages with bilingual participants. Additions to the model can be suggested when the stimulus is expressed in verbal code for visual identification, which may cause interference in bilinguals leading to a first language advantage due to language experience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004394
- Subject Headings
- Bilingualism, Computational complexity, Mathematical analysis, Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary), Switching theory
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Attitudes of urban high school mathematics teachers toward the mandate requiring algebra for high school graduation.
- Creator
- Gray, Noel Constantine., Florida Atlantic University, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine if urban high school mathematics teachers' attitudes toward the algebra mandate could be predicted by the variables: years of teaching mathematics, college major, highest college degree, gender, and ethnicity. Toward this end, the Attitude Toward the Algebra Mandate Survey (TATAMS) was administered to 98 high school mathematics teachers drawn from a total population of 493 who were employed by the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, during...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine if urban high school mathematics teachers' attitudes toward the algebra mandate could be predicted by the variables: years of teaching mathematics, college major, highest college degree, gender, and ethnicity. Toward this end, the Attitude Toward the Algebra Mandate Survey (TATAMS) was administered to 98 high school mathematics teachers drawn from a total population of 493 who were employed by the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, during the 1998--1999 School Year. The study was carried out in June 1999, roughly 20 months after the mandate became effect in Florida. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test each hypothesis and to provide a model that was. predict of teacher attitudes. Five null hypotheses were formed to determine if there were significant relationships between teacher attitudes toward the algebra mandate and the aforementioned variables. The results of the tests of five null hypotheses showed that the hypotheses that involved years of teaching mathematics and ethnicity was rejected. These five predictor variables accounted for 27% of the variance in teacher attitudes. The inference drawn from the study was that the negative attitudes of veteran White teachers and the positive attitudes of Hispanic teachers toward the mandate appear to have their roots in political and social considerations. Black teachers, on the other hand, have never challenged for the power in the district and are moderate in their attitudes toward the mandate.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2000
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12623
- Subject Headings
- Mathematics teachers--Attitudes, High schools--Graduation requirements, Mathematics--Study and teaching, Algebra
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Teaching students with learning disabilities to solve word-problems: A comparison of a cognitive strategy and a traditional textbook method.
- Creator
- Lambert, Monica Ann., Florida Atlantic University, Taylor, Ronald L.
- Abstract/Description
-
The current emphasis in mathematics curricula is placed on mathematical applications to real-life word-problem solving. Therefore, it is critical that all secondary students receive instruction in problem solving. Although many mathematics textbooks provide steps for students to follow when solving word-problems they do not meet the needs of all students, especially those with learning disabilities (LD). Students with LD lack knowledge in cognitive and metacognitive strategies, although they...
Show moreThe current emphasis in mathematics curricula is placed on mathematical applications to real-life word-problem solving. Therefore, it is critical that all secondary students receive instruction in problem solving. Although many mathematics textbooks provide steps for students to follow when solving word-problems they do not meet the needs of all students, especially those with learning disabilities (LD). Students with LD lack knowledge in cognitive and metacognitive strategies, although they are able to use these strategies when taught. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a cognitive problem solving strategy and a traditional textbook method in solving three-step word-problems consisting of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and percents. Four teachers who taught two Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) math classes volunteered to participate in the study. Each teacher taught one of his/her math classes the cognitive strategy and the other class the textbook method. A total of 76 students from grades 9 through 12 who attended a part-time SLD math class were used as subjects. The two groups were taught through direct instruction with scripted lessons. The cognitive strategy group was taught an eight-step strategy that included self-talking and self-questioning. The textbook method group was taught a traditional textbook method which consisted of a four-step plan. Treatment for both groups included a pretest, describing and modeling the strategy or method, verbally rehearsing the cognitive strategy or textbook method, practice solving word-problems, and a posttest of the three-step word-problems. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between the cognitive strategy and textbook method. However, the observed power was not sufficient to determine if there was or was not a treatment effect. Informal error analyses indicated subjects did perform better after direct instruction in solving word-problems. Although subjects were attempting to solve more problems, however, other types of errors were being made, such as choosing and using the wrong operation. This indicates students may need to be taught a strategy on how to choose the correct operation to solve word-problems.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12470
- Subject Headings
- Learning disabled--Education--Mathematics, Learning disabilities, Mathematics--Study and teaching (Secondary), Cognition in children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effects of instructional format on community college students' geometric construction performance.
- Creator
- Shryock, Brenda Manning., Florida Atlantic University, Shockley, Robert, Romance, Nancy
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to investigate which of two different instructional formats of a geometric construction activity was best suited to enhance student task performance. The subjects (N=50) were selected from community college students enrolled in introductory college mathematics courses and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The groups differed in that group A received a different format of the procedural steps to reconstruct a given angle than that of group B. Form...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate which of two different instructional formats of a geometric construction activity was best suited to enhance student task performance. The subjects (N=50) were selected from community college students enrolled in introductory college mathematics courses and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The groups differed in that group A received a different format of the procedural steps to reconstruct a given angle than that of group B. Form A consisted of adjoining text and diagrams where a diagram for each of the five steps of the task was pictured. Form B consisted of only two diagrams for the five-step process where it was necessary for subjects to determine which of the two diagrams was being referred to while proceeding through the steps. Both formats are representative of instructional materials currently in use in classrooms from the middle school level to the post-secondary level. During a personal interview session, each subject received one of two sets of directions describing the procedure of reproducing a given angle using a compass and straightedge. Each subject was asked to study the assigned set of directions with materials provided to practice the task. With the directions removed, each subject was then asked to reconstruct another, slightly different angle. Students given Form B, the reduced diagram format, significantly outperformed those students given Form A, x^2 (1, $N=50)=5.19, with no significant differences in the two groups with respect to the time spent studying the directions, t(48)=0.04, or completing the testing phase, t(48)=1.58. Other than use of the assigned form, mathematics ability was a significant factor in the subjects' ability to successfully complete the construction task, F(1,46)=7.79, p<.01. Verbal ability was not a significant factor, F(1,46)=1.81, p=.19, in the subjects' ability to successfully complete the construction task. Gender alone was not a significant factor, F1,46 =0.31, p = .58; however, when examined in combination with mathematics ability a significant interaction resulted, F1,46)=6.41, p=.02. Overall, success was significantly related to format, mathematics ability, and gender relative to mathematics ability.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1995
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12440
- Subject Headings
- Mathematics--Problems, exercises, etc, Problem solving, Mathematics--Study and teaching, Teaching--Aids and devices
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Some Construction Problems Related to the Incircle of a Triangle.
- Creator
- Bell, Amy B., Yiu, Paul Y., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
This thesis explores several construction problems related to the incircle of a triangle. Firstly, as a generalization of a theorem of D. W. Hansen, we find two quadruples of quantities related to a triangle which have equal sums and equal sums of squares. We also study the construction problems of triangles with centroid on the incircle, and those with a specified cevian - a median, an angle bisector, or an altitude- bisected by the incircle. Detailed analysis leads to designs of animation...
Show moreThis thesis explores several construction problems related to the incircle of a triangle. Firstly, as a generalization of a theorem of D. W. Hansen, we find two quadruples of quantities related to a triangle which have equal sums and equal sums of squares. We also study the construction problems of triangles with centroid on the incircle, and those with a specified cevian - a median, an angle bisector, or an altitude- bisected by the incircle. Detailed analysis leads to designs of animation pictures using the dynamic software Geometer's Sketchpad.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000725
- Subject Headings
- Geometry--Problems, exercises, etc, Geometry--Study and teaching (Secondary), Mathematics--Study and teaching--Technological innovations
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A critical analysis of first generation black male college students’ perceptions of their preparation for college level mathematics.
- Creator
- Williams, Kyla L., Schoorman, Dilys, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
President Obama’s 2014 “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative responds to the continuing educational disparities that the No Child Left Behind Act was intended to have addressed. The preoccupation with standardized testing and accountability over the past decade has revealed evidence of disparities in achievement between Black male students and their White counterparts. Critical Race Theorists have framed these persistent disparities as evidence of the opportunity gap and have advocated culturally...
Show morePresident Obama’s 2014 “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative responds to the continuing educational disparities that the No Child Left Behind Act was intended to have addressed. The preoccupation with standardized testing and accountability over the past decade has revealed evidence of disparities in achievement between Black male students and their White counterparts. Critical Race Theorists have framed these persistent disparities as evidence of the opportunity gap and have advocated culturally responsive pedagogy that would facilitate students’ academic success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004421, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004421
- Subject Headings
- Achievement in education, Critical pedagogy, Educational sociology -- United States, Mathematics -- Studying and teaching (Graduate), Mathematics -- Studying and teaching (High school), Minorities -- Education -- United States, Motivation in education, Racism in higher education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Low Cost Robotic Car as a Way to Teach Mathematics.
- Creator
- Aguerrevere, Santiago Andres, Shankar, Ravi, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
This report describes the development of a low cost open source semiautonomous robotic car and a way to communicate with it. It is a continuation of prior research done by other students at FAU and published in recent ASEE conferences. The objective of this project was the development of a new robotic platform with improved precision over the original, while still keeping the cost down. It was developed with the aim to allow a hands-on approach to the teaching of mathematics topics that are...
Show moreThis report describes the development of a low cost open source semiautonomous robotic car and a way to communicate with it. It is a continuation of prior research done by other students at FAU and published in recent ASEE conferences. The objective of this project was the development of a new robotic platform with improved precision over the original, while still keeping the cost down. It was developed with the aim to allow a hands-on approach to the teaching of mathematics topics that are taught in the K-12 syllabus. Improved robustness and reliability of the robotic platform for visually solving math problems was achieved using a combination of PID loops to keep track of distance and rotation. The precision was increased by changing the position of the encoders to the shafts of each motor. A mobile application was developed to allow the student to draw the geometric shapes on the screen before the car draws them. The mobile application consists of two parts, the canvas that the user uses to draw the figure and the configure section that lets the user change the parameters of the controller. Results show that the robot can draw standard geometric and complex geometric shapes. It has high precision and sufficient accuracy, the accuracy can be improved with some mechanical adjustments. During testing a Pythagorean triangle was drawn to show visually the key mathematics concept. The eventual goal of this project will be a K-12 class room study to obtain the feedback of the teachers and students on the feasibility of using a robotic car to teach math. Subsequent to that necessary changes will be made to manufacture a unit that is easy to assemble by the teacher.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004712, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004712
- Subject Headings
- Adaptive control systems, Applied mathematics, Artificial intelligence, Computers, Special purpose, Mathematics -- Study and teaching, User interfaces (Computer systems)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The relationship between the self-efficacy of monolingual and bilingual undergraduate college students and their academic achievement in science and math.
- Creator
- Pomerantz, Rina, Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
Almost twenty-one percent of the United States population spoke a language other than English in 2011. Furthermore, there has been a dramatic increase in the enrollment of students of Hispanic and other ethnic backgrounds in U.S. post-secondary institutions between 1976 and 2013 (from 4% to 16%) (National Center for Education Statistics NCES, 2016). Until now, no systematic research has focused on the differential effects of selfefficacy on academic achievement in monolingual and bilingual...
Show moreAlmost twenty-one percent of the United States population spoke a language other than English in 2011. Furthermore, there has been a dramatic increase in the enrollment of students of Hispanic and other ethnic backgrounds in U.S. post-secondary institutions between 1976 and 2013 (from 4% to 16%) (National Center for Education Statistics NCES, 2016). Until now, no systematic research has focused on the differential effects of selfefficacy on academic achievement in monolingual and bilingual undergraduate college students. The present study aimed to investigate this relationship, as well as contribute additional insight on whether the academic self-efficacy of monolingual and bilingual undergraduate college students plays a role in their academic success specifically in science and math courses. Additionally, the findings of this research study were expected to provide data to inform the development of educational programs that might specifically target monolinguals or bilinguals in enhancing students’ self-efficacy. Seven instructors of foundational undergraduate science courses and math courses at a southeastern university agreed to contribute to the study by asking their students for their voluntary participation in the data collection. A total of 361 students participated in the study. Overall, 256 (70.9%) participants reported being monolingual and 105 (29.1%) reported being bilingual; 335 (92.8%) students were enrolled in science courses and 26 (7.2%) were registered in math courses; 237 (65.7%) were female students and 124 (34.3%) were male. Demographics, self-efficacy, and sociolinguistic data were collected using the Self-Efficacy Research Study Online Questionnaire. Final science and math grades were also collected from the instructors at the end of the semester for all students who volunteered to participate in the study. The findings of this research study revealed that the self-efficacy levels of undergraduate college students in science and math predict their academic achievement in these subjects. They also showed that the self-efficacy levels of bilingual participants are higher than those of their monolingual counterparts. Findings also indicated that when the relationship between final grade and self-efficacy was examined separately in each linguistic group the correlation was significant and positive for monolinguals.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004753, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004753
- Subject Headings
- Self-efficacy., Control (Psychology), Academic achievement--Psychological aspects., Education, Bilingual., Science--Study and teaching (Higher), Mathematics--Study and teaching (Higher)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Understanding how national board certified secondary mathematics teachers integrate academic and social knowledge of students into their practice.
- Creator
- Cook, Karen, Burnaford, Gail, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
This qualitative case study investigated how six National Board Certified secondary mathematics teachers integrate knowledge of students into their practice to create socio- academic spaces for learning. Individual audiotaped interviews were utilized to generate data about what knowledge these teachers had of their students, how they gathered this knowledge, and how this knowledge of students influenced their decisions related to curriculum and instruction. The data were used to form an...
Show moreThis qualitative case study investigated how six National Board Certified secondary mathematics teachers integrate knowledge of students into their practice to create socio- academic spaces for learning. Individual audiotaped interviews were utilized to generate data about what knowledge these teachers had of their students, how they gathered this knowledge, and how this knowledge of students influenced their decisions related to curriculum and instruction. The data were used to form an understanding of the nature and function of the socio- academic spaces that teachers create in planning for and delivering instruction. The study revealed that as teachers interact independently with the curriculum, they create spaces for analysis and reflection. In addition, as they interact with their students around the curriculum, they create spaces for their students to practice, to make connections, to communicate, and to apply and experience math.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004357, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004357
- Subject Headings
- Classroom environment, Curriculum planning, Education, Secondary, Educational psychology, Educational sociology, Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary), National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (U.S.)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Investigation of Foundational Instructional Principles in International Mathematics Classrooms: An lSD Analysis of TJMSS Video Data.
- Creator
- Rodney, Desmond W., Kumar, David D., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The central purpose of this study is to investigate whether cross national classroom video recordings reflect foundational principles of instruction as identified by lSD theorists. Principles of instruction remain true regardless of program or context when implemented by appropriate instructional systems design procedures. These theoretical elements however, require deeper empirical investigation in authentic classroom settings. This study posits that foundational principles are observable in...
Show moreThe central purpose of this study is to investigate whether cross national classroom video recordings reflect foundational principles of instruction as identified by lSD theorists. Principles of instruction remain true regardless of program or context when implemented by appropriate instructional systems design procedures. These theoretical elements however, require deeper empirical investigation in authentic classroom settings. This study posits that foundational principles are observable in non lSD systematized settings. Further it suggests that they are represented differently in classroom video recordings across countries, based on their performance level on a standardized assessment. The study shows inter alia that, (1) Instructional principles as conceptualized by lSD theorists are observable from non-ISD systematized settings. (2) The language and knowledge of ISD can be fused with curriculum studies to create sharper lens for investigating classroom phenomena. Foundational principles provide an important point of departure for this shared language. (3) Iterative video analysis is effectively combined with video observation protocols to study instructional contexts. (4) The occurrence of demonstration and real world integration stand out as more significant in higher performing countries than in lower performing countries. (5) This study adds support to earlier investigations which suggest that there are global patterns of teaching. (6) TIMSS performance tier does not correlate with a greater occurrence of foundational principles of instruction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000690
- Subject Headings
- Mathematics--Study and teaching--Cross-cultural studies, Educational tests and measurements, Teacher effectiveness--Cross-cultural studies, Instructional systems--Design--Cross-cultural studies
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Predicting Success Rate of First-Time College Students Enrolled in Developmental Mathematics Courses in an Urban Multi-Campus Community College Based on Reading Level and Order of Courses Taken.
- Creator
- Echenique, Marcial Luis, Kumar, David D., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
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Community colleges serve as conduits for students as they make the transition between secondary school and college. Community colleges also have a unique place in the American education system as they serve a large number of non-traditional students. The open-door policy of community colleges gives students the opportunity to pursue a college education. However, not all students who enroll in community colleges are academically prepared for college-level courses. A comprehensive literature...
Show moreCommunity colleges serve as conduits for students as they make the transition between secondary school and college. Community colleges also have a unique place in the American education system as they serve a large number of non-traditional students. The open-door policy of community colleges gives students the opportunity to pursue a college education. However, not all students who enroll in community colleges are academically prepared for college-level courses. A comprehensive literature review in the areas of community college, developmental education, mathematics education, and the connection between language and mathematics was conducted. Based on the results of the literature review, this study examined a population of students who placed into all three developmental education subjects when they enrolled at the community college based on their Computerized Placement Test (CPT) scores. In the first part of the study, the researcher studied the relationship between reading level and success rate in developmental mathematics courses. In the second part, the researcher used a logistic regression model to predict success in developmental mathematics courses based on CPT scores in math, reading, and writing, as well as ethnicity, gender, age, traditional college student status, limited English proficiency, and enrollment status. Results from the study revealed that the order in which developmental reading courses and developmental mathematics courses are taken does make a difference in the success rate of students in their developmental mathematics courses. There is a significant relationship between reading level and success rate in developmental mathematics courses for students who take reading before or at the same time as mathematics. A logistics regression model with four significant variables was created to predict success in developmental mathematics courses greater than chance. This study can assist counselors in placing students in the correct developmental mathematics course when they enroll in the community college. It further gives administrators the opportunity to evaluate current placement policy in developmental mathematics courses based on the order in which the courses are taken and CPT cutoff scores. This study also proposes recommendations and further research in the area of developmental mathematics education.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000664
- Subject Headings
- Mathematics--Study and teaching--Research, Learning, Psychology of, College student development programs--United States, Community college students--Services for
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Teacher collegiality and collaboration in exemplary high school math departments.
- Creator
- Numeroff, Donna., Florida Atlantic University, Acker-Hocevar, Michele A.
- Abstract/Description
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Research maintains that teacher collegiality and collaboration are important for developing professional learning communities, and promoting leadership of teaching and learning. As we enter the 21st century, subject departments in secondary schools remain a common and important entity in the professional life of a teacher, yet scarce in educational research literature. Using qualitative methodology, three exemplary, collegial, yet demographically diverse high school math departments in the...
Show moreResearch maintains that teacher collegiality and collaboration are important for developing professional learning communities, and promoting leadership of teaching and learning. As we enter the 21st century, subject departments in secondary schools remain a common and important entity in the professional life of a teacher, yet scarce in educational research literature. Using qualitative methodology, three exemplary, collegial, yet demographically diverse high school math departments in the state of Florida were involved in this multi-site case study. The researcher collected data from interviews, observations, and documents. Sixty-one math teachers including department chairs were individually interviewed. These interviews were transcribed and coded for commonalities. Observations were recorded during teacher planning hours, department meetings, and teacher lunch times. Also, pertinent documents such as course syllabi, department mission statements, school mission statements, and school improvement plans were collected. All data were triangulated and analyzed, and findings support that collegial relationships impact teachers' work lives, which reduce uncertainty and stress; collegial departments are tightly structured democratic systems where distributed leadership increases instructional effectiveness and creates a familial environment; collaborative cultures affect student learning by emphasizing a fair and equitable education for all students improving parental involvement; and the department chair as instructional and managerial leader plays a major role as a change agent within the professional collegial community.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12128
- Subject Headings
- Teachers--Professional relationships, Educational leadership--Case studies, Classroom management--Florida--Case studies, Mathematics--Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Effectiveness Of The National Board Certification As It Relates To The Advanced Placement Calculus AB Exam.
- Creator
- Antunez, Fernando Oscar, Furner, Joseph M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
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This study compared data related to National Board Certification (NBC) of mathematics teachers in a South Florida school district. Data included 1,162 student scores on the 2014 AP Calculus AB exam, student gender, student grade level, and eligibility for free or reduced price lunch (FRL) status. Teachers completed the Standards' Beliefs Instrument (SBI) (Zollman & Mason, 1992) to determine alignment of their beliefs with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards....
Show moreThis study compared data related to National Board Certification (NBC) of mathematics teachers in a South Florida school district. Data included 1,162 student scores on the 2014 AP Calculus AB exam, student gender, student grade level, and eligibility for free or reduced price lunch (FRL) status. Teachers completed the Standards' Beliefs Instrument (SBI) (Zollman & Mason, 1992) to determine alignment of their beliefs with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards. Interviews were conducted with five NBC mathematics teachers to understand how they incorporate best mathematics teaching practices in their daily instruction. A t-test analysis revealed that students taught by NBC teachers scored significantly higher (M = 3.70) on the AP Calculus AB Exam than those taught by non-NBCTs (M = 2.74); Cohen's d (.6429) indicated a moderately large effect size. No causation is to be implied; various confounding factors may also contribute to the variance in student scores. Three factorial ANOVA tests were performed to test interaction effects. Two significant interaction effects were detected: (1) NBCT status and student grade level; and (2) NBCT status and student FRL (free and reduced price lunch) status. No significant interaction was found between NBCT status and student gender. With a reliability estimate using Cronbach's alpha, a second t-test was conducted. A statistically significant difference was found regarding the mean scores of NBCTs and non-NBCTs regarding their beliefs according to the vision of the NCTM. NBCTs generally have practices that align more with the NCTM mathematics teaching standards. Interviews with five NBC teachers of AP Calculus provided rich qualitative descriptions of their teaching philosophies, approaches, and best practices contributing to student success. The results of this study reinforce evidence from previous research that the process of obtaining the NBC contributes to a teacher's professional expertise and is related to student success; however, since there may be other confounding factors related to teachers, students, and their schools, the NBC cannot be considered the sole factor contributing to student success in AP coursework and exams.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004477, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004477
- Subject Headings
- Achievement in education -- Florida, Advanced placement programs (Education), Calculus -- Examinations, questions, etc, Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary), National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (U.S.), Teacher effectiveness -- Florida, Teachers -- Certification -- Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Maternal Involvement in Math Homework and its Influence on Adolescents’ Math Outcomes During the Transition to Middle School: Who Profits from Homework Assistance?.
- Creator
- Dickson, Daniel J., Laursen, Brett, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
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As adolescents transition to middle school, math confidence and performance declines (Eccles et al., 1993; Lee, Statuto, & Kadar-Voivodas, 1983). These declines are typically attributed to social and maturational changes (Eccles, Lord, & Midgley, 1991; Simmons & Blyth, 1987). In this dissertation, I explore the hypothesis that low parent support for schoolwork is also responsible. Latino-American adolescents are especially at risk for math difficulties. Maintaining adolescents’ engagement and...
Show moreAs adolescents transition to middle school, math confidence and performance declines (Eccles et al., 1993; Lee, Statuto, & Kadar-Voivodas, 1983). These declines are typically attributed to social and maturational changes (Eccles, Lord, & Midgley, 1991; Simmons & Blyth, 1987). In this dissertation, I explore the hypothesis that low parent support for schoolwork is also responsible. Latino-American adolescents are especially at risk for math difficulties. Maintaining adolescents’ engagement and performance in math are important goals for mothers because high levels of both are requisites for many professional careers. This dissertation will focus on Latino-American families to determine if mothers’ homework involvement is associated with changes in children’s math-related outcomes across the transition to secondary school. Parental involvement in math homework is assumed to mitigate declines in math performance during this transition. Cognitive models suggest that involved parents utilize scaffolding (Rogoff & Gardner, 1984) and instruction to ensure math achievement (Pomerantz & Moorman, 2010). Motivational models suggest that involved parents foster math engagement by bolstering child confidence, modeling management strategies, and promoting values that encourage children to work hard (Grolnick & Slowiaczek, 1994; Simpkins, Fredricks, & Eccles, 2015). However, empirical evidence in support of the importance of parents in math achievement is limited. While positive forms of involvement co-occur with better math outcomes (Bhanot & Jovanovic, 2005; Rice et al., 2013), no studies have examined such associations longitudinally. Children who are uninterested in math may be more susceptible to the effects of parental homework involvement because they lack internal motivation for mastery that underlies performance in other children. The present study examines the extent to which Latina-American mothers’ involvement in math homework is effective in preventing declines in child math-related outcomes (i.e., perceptions of math ability, etc) during the transition to middle school. Child math interest was postulated to moderate this association. Results indicated that low maternal homework involvement predicts worsening child math-related outcomes, but only for children who were intrinsically uninterested in math. The findings hold important implications for parents, who must work to ensure that they remain engaged in their children’s activities, especially if children appear uninterested in math.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004911, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004911
- Subject Headings
- Hispanic Americans--Education--Parent participation., Academic achievement., Adjustment (Psychology), Learning, Psychology of., Parent and child., Parent and teenager., Mathematics--Study and teaching (Middle school), Middle school students., Motivation in education., Education--Parent participation.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effects of teaching mathematics to learning style perceptual preference on academic achievement of seventh-grade middle school students.
- Creator
- Colarulli, Rosemary, Florida Atlantic University, Kerensky, Vasil M.
- Abstract/Description
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Teaching methods that are effective with some students, fail with other students, because students perceive and process information differently. The personal preference by which one perceives and processes new material is called one's learning style. Using the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Inventory assessment instrument, the learning style perceptual preference of 262 seventh grade students from a large, urban, middle school in southeast Florida were identified. This research investigated the...
Show moreTeaching methods that are effective with some students, fail with other students, because students perceive and process information differently. The personal preference by which one perceives and processes new material is called one's learning style. Using the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Inventory assessment instrument, the learning style perceptual preference of 262 seventh grade students from a large, urban, middle school in southeast Florida were identified. This research investigated the effects of teaching mathematics to the preferred perceptual preference of these students in terms of academic achievement. Four teachers were trained in the Dunn and Dunn learning style teaching model to acquaint them with the experimental treatment used in this study. A pretest-posttest design was used to observe the mean gain in achievement scores on a 25-element assessment between students taught using a traditional teaching format and those taught in the learning style treatment approach. All students in the experimental group were first introduced to new mathematics material with a global story and taught in their primary learning style perceptual preference: (a) auditory, (b) tactile, (c) kinesthetic, or (d) visual. The material was reinforced through their secondary preference and a creative, student-constructed project was shared with the classmates. Several two-way factorial analyses of variance were used to study the treatment effect on the dependent variable. Neither the main effect for treatment nor the interactions between treatment and demographic variables (race, gender, learning styles) were significant at the.05 level. Within the context of this study, teaching through a student's perceptual learning style preference does not appear to be significantly more effective than teaching in a traditional manner.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1998
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12552
- Subject Headings
- Learning, Psychology of
- Format
- Document (PDF)