Search

This article presents the results of a small-scale, comparative study on the perceived impact that having students enter Mathematics competitions has on Mathematics teachers in Puerto Rico, Switzerland and the UK and on their classroom practice. The study surveyed a small number of Mathematics teachers in the three countries who teach in both public and private schools and in both rural and urban regions. The perceived advantages and disadvantages to students from taking part in competitions and to teachers who have students taking part in competitions are discussed and the findings compared across the three countries. The effect that Mathematics competitions have on the identification and development of the mathematical talent of students is considered together with the contribution of these activities to the academic environment of the classroom. For the teachers who did have students taking Mathematics competitions, the limitations of entry and the different methods in which teachers prepare or assist students to prepare for the competitions are compared between countries. Since the study is small in scale, no firm conclusions are drawn but suggestions are made as to where future, larger scale, studies might be carried out to see if the classroom experiences of all could be positively influenced by exposure to Mathematics competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on how the geometry component of the National Curricula for mathematics in Japan and in one selected country of the UK, specifically England, is interpreted in school mathematics textbooks from major publishers sampled from each country. The findings we report identify features of geometry, and approaches to geometry teaching and learning, that are found in a sample of textbooks aimed at students in Grade 8 (aged 13-14). Our analysis raises two issues which are widely recognised as very important in mathematics education: the teaching of mathematical reasoning and proof, and the teaching of problem-solving. In terms of the teaching of mathematical reasoning and proof, our evidence indicates that this is dispersed in the textbook in England while it is concentrated in geometry in the textbook in Japan. In terms of the teaching of mathematical problem-solving and modeling, our analysis shows that it is more concentrated in the textbook from England, and rather more dispersed in the textbook from Japan. These findings indicate how important it is to consider ways in which these issues can be carefully designed in the geometry sections of future textbooks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little research has examined the associations between perceived inclusivity within informal science learning sites, youth program belonging and perceptions of program career preparation. This study explored relations between these factors at three timepoints (T1 = start of program, T2 = 3 months and T3 = 12 months after start). Participants were a diverse sample of 209 adolescents participating in STEM youth programs within informal science learning sites situated in the United States and United Kingdom (70% females: Mage = 15.27, SDage = 1.60), with 53.1% British and 64.1% non-White. Path analysis revealed that only perceptions of inclusivity for own social identity group (i.e., gender, ethnicity) at T1 were associated with T2 STEM youth program belonging. There was a significant indirect effect of T1 perceptions of inclusivity for one's own social identity groups on T3 perceptions of program career preparation via T2 program belonging. This study highlights that, over time, perceptions of inclusivity around youth's own social identity groups (i.e., gender and ethnicity/culture) are related to a sense of youth program belonging, which in turn is later associated with perceptions of program career preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brian Griffiths (1927–2008) was a British mathematician and educator who served as a member of the founding editorial board of Educational Studies in Mathematics. As a mathematician, Griffiths is remembered through his work on what continue to be known as ‘Griffiths-type’ topological spaces. As a mathematics educator, his most profound contribution was, with Geoffrey Howson, in offering a conceptualisation of the relationship between mathematics, society and curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided by Fuzzy Trace Theory, this study examined the impact of a 'Gist-based' leaflet on colorectal cancer screening knowledge and intentions; and tested the interaction with participants' numerical ability. Adults aged 45-59 years from four UK general practices were randomly assigned to receive standard information ('The Facts', n = 2,216) versus standard information plus 'The Gist' leaflet (Gist + Facts, n = 2,236). Questionnaires were returned by 964/4,452 individuals (22 %). 82 % of respondents reported having read the information, but those with poor numeracy were less likely (74 vs. 88 %, p < .001). The 'Gist + Facts' group were more likely to reach the criterion for adequate knowledge (95 vs. 91 %; p < .01), but this was not moderated by numeracy. Most respondents (98 %) intended to participate in screening, with no group differences and no interaction with numeracy. The improved levels of knowledge and self-reported reading suggest 'The Gist' leaflet may increase engagement with colorectal cancer screening, but ceiling effects reduced the likelihood that screening intentions would be affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foods with low glycaemic index (LGI) are reported to suppress appetite mainly in overweight population but have not been investigated in athletic adults. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the short-term effects of LGI and high GI (HGI) meals over a day on subsequent subjective appetite sensation, energy intake, energy expenditure, energy balance and resting metabolic rate in physically active males. Methods: This cross-sectional randomized crossover study included 14 active males (mean ± SD; age 34.5 ± 8.9 years, body mass index 22.8 ± 2.1 kg m) to consume LGI and HGI meals on two separate days. On each trial day, participants consumed a breakfast in the laboratory and then left with a packed lunch, dinner and snacks. Appetite scores, energy intake and expenditure were assessed. Results: The area under the curve for appetite scores of the HGI trial was significantly smaller than that of the LGI trial during the laboratory period ( p = 0.027) and throughout the day ( p = 0.009). No significant differences in energy intake, energy expenditure, energy balance and resting metabolic rate were found between groups, between the trial days and between the corresponding post-trial days. Conclusions: These results show that frequent ingestion of the HGI meals, contrary to the previous reports, suppresses appetite more than that of LGI meals, but did not affect energy balance in physically active normal-weight males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers in the UK and elsewhere are now expected to foster creativity in young children (NACCCE, ; Ofsted, ; DfES, ; DfES/DCMS, ). Creativity, however, is more often associated with the arts than with mathematics. The aim of the study was to explore and document pre-service (in the UK, pre-service teachers are referred to as ‘trainee’ teachers) primary teachers’ conceptions of creativity in mathematics teaching in the UK. A questionnaire probed their conceptions early in their course, and these were supplemented with data from semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the responses indicated that pre-service teachers’ conceptions were narrow, predominantly associated with the use of resources and technology and bound up with the idea of ‘teaching creatively’ rather than ‘teaching for creativity’. Conceptions became less narrow as pre-service teachers were preparing to enter schools as newly qualified, but they still had difficulty in identifying ways of encouraging and assessing creativity in the classroom. This difficulty suggests that conceptions of creativity need to be addressed and developed directly during pre-service education if teachers are to meet the expectations of government as set out in the above documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the works of Paul Klee, in Great Britain. He uses mathematics to explore his craft in arts by creating crystals, carvings and castles. Much of his works will be featured during the art exhibition entitled "Beyond Measure" to be held at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, England. In the exhibition, he displayed various objects with mix aesthetic quality with functionality because he believed that these objects were created to illustrate, to teach, to decorate or to demonstrate. Some of this objects include wooden models of platonic solids, Archimedean polyhedra and geological crystals.