Thesis (D.A.)--George Mason University, 2008. / Vita: p. 72. Thesis director: Stephen H. Saperstone. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Arts in Community College Education. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed June 30, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-71). Also issued in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2007. / William L. Curlette, committee chair; Gwendolyn Benson, Douglas Davis, Mary P. Deming, Roy M. Kern, committee members. Electronic text (139 p. : col. ill.) : digital, PDF file. Title from file title page. Description based on contents viewed Dec. 5, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-127).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-111). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-111). Also available on the Internet.

<p> </p> <p>This dissertation researched the scope of mathematics achievement disparities in the United States and how these disparities can be minimized through a self-efficacy lens. To answer pertinent research questions with data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2019 mathematics assessment in Grades 4, 8, and 12, gap analyses, two-level cross-sectional multilevel modeling, and two-level structural equation modeling were conducted. The discoveries demonstrated that the excellence gaps in U.S. in mathematics achievement by race/ethnicity, gender, NSLP, ELL, and IEP persisted and widened from Grade 4 to Grade 8 yet decreased at Grade 12. Self-efficacy was a noteworthy predictor of students’ mathematics achievement, displaying large effect sizes across grades. The disparities in mathematics achievement by student subgroups lessened when students' self-efficacy was equal. Moreover, self-efficacy mediated the relationships between mastery-approach goals, performance-approach goals, interest, persistence in learning and achievement. Additional results demonstrated that the status of being racially/ethnically underrepresented students partially moderated the connections between motivational variables and mathematics achievement. School locale and the percentage of underrepresented students significantly impacted students’ achievement. This dissertation underscores the importance of self-efficacy in closing mathematics achievement gaps and improving students’ mathematics achievement. </p>

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of technology acceptance on post secondary African American students' achievement in Mathematics. The study was conducted in a historically Black four-year college in Daytona Beach, Florida on students using the computer to enhance their mathematics performance in an introductory algebra mathematics course. By using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by F. Davis (1989), this study focused on variables such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, computer self-efficacy, subjective norms, attitude and actual use of the computer to account the effect towards the achievement in the final exam which is an outcome variable. The data were collected over four different time periods during the fall semester of 2004 to find how these results changed over time. The study was conducted by using six instruments to measure perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, computer self-efficacy, subjective norms, actual use of computer (frequency and duration), attitude and an additional demographic instrument. The data were analyzed by path analysis using multiple regressions (SPSS for windows) to find the contribution of each independent variable to the dependent variable that ultimately predicted the final outcome. Computer self-efficacy and subjective norms were determinants of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use which in turn determined the attitude of students using computer for enhancing their math score in the final. The findings of path analysis indicated that the research did not support TAM. The results suggested that perceived usefulness is the most significant predictor of perceived ease of use. The duration of actual use of the computer in a single session contributed significantly towards their final score for achievement in mathematics. The students preferred a face-to-face instruction in mathematics by the instructor than interaction with a computer. Additional research endeavors should be devoted to the measurement of system use in different set up with different ethnic background to further analyze students' acceptance or rejection of technology towards their achievement in mathematics.

No description available.

ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF GRAPHING CALCULATORS ON EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS&amp / #8217 / ACHIEVEMENT IN GRAPHS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS AND CONCEPT OF SLOPE &Ouml / n&uuml / r, Yurdag&uuml / l M.S., Department of Elementary Science and Mathematics Education Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Ayhan K&uuml / rSat ERBAS May 2008, 76 pages The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of graphing calculators on eight grade students&amp / #8217 / achievement in graphing linear equations and concept of slope. Pretest-posttest experimental-control group design was utilized in the study. While the students in experimental group (EG) received instruction about graphs of linear equations and concept of slope with graphing calculators, the students in control group (CG) was taught the same topics without using graphing calculators. There were 27 students (13 girls and 14 boys) in each group. Students in both EG and CG was administered an achievement test (i.e., MAT) consisting of questions related to graphing linear equations and slope concept before and after the instruction. Additionally, the teacher and six students from the EG were interviewed. The data obtained from students&amp / #8217 / post test scores of MAT were analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A statistically significant difference was found between the achievements of students in experimental and control groups. However, gender had no statistically significant effect on students&amp / #8217 / post test scores of MAT. Additionally, students&amp / #8217 / pre-test scores of MAT and their mathematics grades of the second semester of the seventh grade (MGS) were analysed by independent samples t-test. The results showed no statistically significant difference. On the other hand, the analysis of interview data revealed that graphing calculators affected students&amp / #8217 / attitudes towards mathematics in a positive way. Students had no considerable difficulty while using graphing calculators and they found studying with graphing calculators enjoyable. In summary, the results of the study showed that when graphing calculators used at elementary school level, they had positive effects on students&amp / #8217 / achievement and in some respects to their attitude. Consequently, integration of graphing calculators to elementary mathematics curriculum may be beneficial for students and teachers.

<p>Det verkar råda stor konsensus om att matematikundervisningen är viktig för att Sverige skall kunna hävda sig och kunna konkurrera i en global värld. Samtidigt visar det sig att eleverna i allt större utsträckning har svårt att nå målen för undervisningen. En undervisning, som forskningen visar, är hårt styrd av den matematikbok som används.</p><p>I Finland har det visat sig att vilken lärobok som används i undervisningen får statistiskt signifikanta konsekvenser för elevernas resultat. I uppsatsen undersöks om samma statistiskt signifikanta samband även föreligger i Sverige. 149 skolor omfattande 13 408 elever ingår i den statistiska kvantitativa studien. Till skillnad från i Finland pekar resultaten på att det inte går att dra någon slutsats om samband mellan använd lärobok och elevernas resultat. En förklaring till att det inte går att påvisa någon skillnad kan vara att de två helt dominerande matematikböckerna i årskurs 9, i en kvalitativ utvärdering bedöms som likvärdiga.</p><p>För att göra den kvalitativa utvärderingen av matematikböckerna används en metod utvecklad av The American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, i USA. I uppsatsen visas att metoden är tillämpbar i Sverige och kan fungera som det ”instrument för att bedöma läromedels kvalitet utifrån målen att sträva mot i grundskola och gymnasieskola samt motsvarande mål för annan matematikutbildning” som matematikdelegationen efterlyser (SOU 2004:97).</p><p>Den föreslagna metoden används för att granska de två dominerande matematikböckerna i årskurs 9, Matematikboken Z och Matte Direkt. Den begränsade granskningen visar att de båda böckerna är likvärdiga, men framförallt att de har samma svagheter. Båda böckerna får låga betyg i kategorierna ”Building on Student Ideas about Mathematics” och ”Enhancing the Mathematics Learning Environment”. Något som kan få negativa konsekvenser för elevernas inlärning och för sättet som undervisningen bedrivs på.</p> / <p>Education in mathematics is considered important for Sweden to be able to compete in a global world where knowledge and information is imperative. However, mathematics results are decreasing and students often fail to reach the stipulated educational goals.</p><p>Research shows that in mathematics, what is taught and how it is taught is very dependent on the textbook used. In Finland, it has been concluded that there is a statistically significant difference in students´ results depending on which textbook is used. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate if the same is true in Sweden, i.e. is there a statistically significant difference in students’ results in mathematics depending on which textbook is used in Swedish schools? The evaluation is based on responses from 149 schools comprising 13 408 students. The study indicates that the textbook used does not affect the outcome. One explanation is that when assessing the quality of the two textbooks most commonly used in Swedish schools they can be considered equivalent.</p><p>Since textbooks in mathematics have a large influence on what is taught and how it is taught it is important to be able to assess the quality of the textbooks. The thesis demonstrates that a method for assessing textbooks in mathematics, developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, can be used in Sweden. The method would be appropriate as the tool the “Matematikdelegationen” (SOU 2004:97) is requesting for evaluation of the quality of textbooks in mathematics.</p><p>Following the method stipulated by the AAAS, a limited evaluation is made of the two textbooks that dominate in Swedish schools in year 9, Matematikboken Z and Matte Direkt. It is striking that both books perform poorly in the same areas, Building on Student Ideas about Mathematics and Enhancing the Mathematics Learning Environment. This can have a negative impact on the pupils´ ability to learn mathematics and might also have a negative effect on the way mathematics is taught.</p>

Det verkar råda stor konsensus om att matematikundervisningen är viktig för att Sverige skall kunna hävda sig och kunna konkurrera i en global värld. Samtidigt visar det sig att eleverna i allt större utsträckning har svårt att nå målen för undervisningen. En undervisning, som forskningen visar, är hårt styrd av den matematikbok som används. I Finland har det visat sig att vilken lärobok som används i undervisningen får statistiskt signifikanta konsekvenser för elevernas resultat. I uppsatsen undersöks om samma statistiskt signifikanta samband även föreligger i Sverige. 149 skolor omfattande 13 408 elever ingår i den statistiska kvantitativa studien. Till skillnad från i Finland pekar resultaten på att det inte går att dra någon slutsats om samband mellan använd lärobok och elevernas resultat. En förklaring till att det inte går att påvisa någon skillnad kan vara att de två helt dominerande matematikböckerna i årskurs 9, i en kvalitativ utvärdering bedöms som likvärdiga. För att göra den kvalitativa utvärderingen av matematikböckerna används en metod utvecklad av The American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, i USA. I uppsatsen visas att metoden är tillämpbar i Sverige och kan fungera som det ”instrument för att bedöma läromedels kvalitet utifrån målen att sträva mot i grundskola och gymnasieskola samt motsvarande mål för annan matematikutbildning” som matematikdelegationen efterlyser (SOU 2004:97). Den föreslagna metoden används för att granska de två dominerande matematikböckerna i årskurs 9, Matematikboken Z och Matte Direkt. Den begränsade granskningen visar att de båda böckerna är likvärdiga, men framförallt att de har samma svagheter. Båda böckerna får låga betyg i kategorierna ”Building on Student Ideas about Mathematics” och ”Enhancing the Mathematics Learning Environment”. Något som kan få negativa konsekvenser för elevernas inlärning och för sättet som undervisningen bedrivs på. / Education in mathematics is considered important for Sweden to be able to compete in a global world where knowledge and information is imperative. However, mathematics results are decreasing and students often fail to reach the stipulated educational goals. Research shows that in mathematics, what is taught and how it is taught is very dependent on the textbook used. In Finland, it has been concluded that there is a statistically significant difference in students´ results depending on which textbook is used. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate if the same is true in Sweden, i.e. is there a statistically significant difference in students’ results in mathematics depending on which textbook is used in Swedish schools? The evaluation is based on responses from 149 schools comprising 13 408 students. The study indicates that the textbook used does not affect the outcome. One explanation is that when assessing the quality of the two textbooks most commonly used in Swedish schools they can be considered equivalent. Since textbooks in mathematics have a large influence on what is taught and how it is taught it is important to be able to assess the quality of the textbooks. The thesis demonstrates that a method for assessing textbooks in mathematics, developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS, can be used in Sweden. The method would be appropriate as the tool the “Matematikdelegationen” (SOU 2004:97) is requesting for evaluation of the quality of textbooks in mathematics. Following the method stipulated by the AAAS, a limited evaluation is made of the two textbooks that dominate in Swedish schools in year 9, Matematikboken Z and Matte Direkt. It is striking that both books perform poorly in the same areas, Building on Student Ideas about Mathematics and Enhancing the Mathematics Learning Environment. This can have a negative impact on the pupils´ ability to learn mathematics and might also have a negative effect on the way mathematics is taught.