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This paper reports about professional learning related to mathematics instruction in student-teaching triads. The study focuses on how the joint work of triads offers opportunities for the professional learning of student teachers (interns), mentor teachers, and supervisors. Two elementary student-teaching triads reported different areas of and opportunities for professional learning related to mathematics instruction, with more areas and richer opportunities reported by the triad with more extensive collaboration among its members. Findings suggest the need for professional development activities in which mentors and supervisors can examine their stances toward joint work and professional learning in triads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research has demonstrated that males outperform females in mathematics (Hyde, J. S., Fennema, E., & Lamon, S. J., Psychol Bull 107:139–155, ). Research has also shown that encouraging mindful learning–learning information in a conditional rather than an absolute way–can increase mathematics performance in females (Ritchhart, R., & Perkins, D. N., J Social Issues 56:27–47, ). This paper examines the moderating role of mindful learning for gender differences, by manipulating mindful learning for females’ and males’ performance on a novel math task. The results from this study show that males performed better than females when mindful learning was not encouraged (absolute instruction), but males and females performed equally well when mindful learning was encouraged (conditional instruction). Thus we find that mindful learning moderates gender differences in math performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify the interactional strategies that one teacher used in a discourse-rich tenth-grade classroom to develop her students' facility with the mathematical register. Viewing the mathematical register as multi-semiotic and having a specific grammatical patterning, we used discourse analysis () to examine the teacher's initiation and feedback moves that supported students in using symbolic and natural language in mathematical ways during three consecutive lesson episodes. Our findings suggest that, while teacher interactional strategies which focus or probe student thinking are effective for supporting students' learning of the mathematical register, strategies that funnel or lead student contributions towards predetermined answers may also serve that purpose through creating opportunities for meaningful language practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the views of students enrolled at a small United States Midwestern community college toward learning mathematics, and to examine the relationship between student beliefs about mathematic learning and educational experiences with mathematics using Q methodology and open-ended response prompts. Schommer’s ( Journal of Educational Psychology, 82, 495–504, ) multidimensional theory of personal epistemology provided the structural framework for the development of 36 domain specific Q sort statements. Analysis of the data revealed three distinct but related views of learning mathematic which were labeled Active Learners, Skeptical Learners, and Confident Learners. Chi-square tests of independence revealed no significant differences based on gender. Additionally, there was no evidence for differences based on level of mathematics completed, age, or college hours accumulated. Student’s previous experiences in instructional environments, however, were closely associated with beliefs. Results are discussed in view of the implications for establishing learning environments and considerations in implementing Standards-based curricula in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of an intervention program for students with difficulties learning mathematics are reported. Two kinds of math intervention, guided versus structured instruction, were compared to regular math instruction. A total of 75 students from regular and special education, aged seven to thirteen, participated. Ability and automaticity multiplication tests were administered before and after the four-month training period. The results show that the students in both of the experimental conditions improved more than the students in the control condition. Some additional differences were found between the two experimental interventions. Guided instruction appeared to be more effective for low performing students than structured instruction and especially for those students in regular education. Special education students appear to benefit most from structured instruction for the automaticity of multiplication problems. A three month follow-up test showed the acquired knowledge to be well-established in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]