http://hdl.handle.net/1957/21289 Sun, 19 May 2013 06:05:18 GMT 2013-05-19T06:05:18Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/38544 A case study on a diverse college algebra classroom : analyzing pedagogical strategies to enhance students' mathematics self-efficacy Furuto, Michael Shifting demographics show America rapidly diversifying, yet research indicates that an alarming number of diverse students continue to struggle to meet learning outcomes of collegiate mathematics curriculum. Consequently, recruitment and retention of diverse students in STEM majors is a pervasive issue. Using a sociocultural perspective, this study examined the effect of two pedagogies (traditional instruction and cooperative learning) in a diverse College Algebra course on enhancing students' mathematics self-efficacy. Particular attention was paid to investigating the role interaction and discourse play in facilitating learning, improving conceptual understanding, and empowering students to engage in future self-initiated communal learning. The goal was to develop an effective classroom model that cultivates advancement in knowledge and enculturation into the STEM community, culminating in a higher retention rate of diverse students in STEM disciplines. Results indicate that a hybrid model encompassing both traditional instruction and cooperative learning successfully enhances students' self-efficacy. Graduation date: 2013 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1957/38544 2013-04-18T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37216 The culture of undergraduate computer science education : its role in promoting equity within the discipline Howell, Kathy Although a concern for gender equity provided the framework for this research, the results of this study highlighted the fact that the question of equity should be broadened to include concern for the tier of talented women and men who currently choose not to persist in an undergraduate computer science major. This investigation captured the experience of three male and two female first year undergraduate computer science majors (and two instructors) over the course of their first two college terms. Sources of data included interviews, classroom observations, electronic mail journal comments, and casual conversation. Subtle elements of potential gender discrimination were a part of the rich data collected but the students did not mention such factors. Rather, in faithfully portraying the students' perspectives, this research presented the students' candid discussion of the function of more obvious factors in their experiences. Difficulties with concepts of mathematical proof and computer programming were significant factors in the students' experiences. Students not experienced with mathematical proof or computer programming failed to develop an understanding of the basic principles in the respective course. Student difficulties were matched by the struggles of teaching faculty as they looked for input to support improvement in their teaching. Many of the factors identified by the students were found in the general undergraduate experience. All of the students knew little about careers in computer science and were anxious to learn more. The female students wanted their career to involve work they enjoyed. The male students wanted assurances that they could compete and find financial security in their career. The students valued support they found in a variety of forms and were disappointed in the lack of support found in advising sessions. Students struggled with inadequate study skills to meet demanding course expectations. This research identified factors in the culture of undergraduate computer science education that impacted students' decisions to persist, or not persist, in the field. The results indicate changes and provide a basis for the design of interventions aimed at creating an environment that will equitably support all persons in pursuit of an undergraduate computer science degree. Graduation date: 1996 Wed, 08 May 1996 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37216 1996-05-08T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37214 The relationships between Thai girls' and boys' attitudes and beliefs about mathematics and mathematics achievement, future mathematics coursework intentions, and career interests Katwibun, Duanghathai The intention of this study was to explore the relationships between Thai middle school girls' and boys' attitudes and beliefs about mathematics and mathematics achievement, future mathematics coursework intentions, and career interests. Participants in this study were 523 students who were enrolled in The Chiang Mai University Demonstration School during the first semester of the 1999 school year. In order to measure the students' attitudes and beliefs about mathematics, a questionnaire was developed from the Fennema-Sherman Attitudes Scale (Mulhern & Rae, 1998) and Indiana Mathematics Beliefs Scale (Kloosterman & Stage, 1992). Students' mathematics achievement was obtained from their final mathematics grades at the end of the semester. Students' future mathematics coursework intentions questionnaire was developed from Throndike-Christ's (1991) study. Finally, students' career interests questionnaire was rated according to Goldman and Hewitt's (1976) science/math continuum. The findings revealed that Thai middle school students had positive attitudes and beliefs about mathematics. The students had good mathematics achievement and demonstrated a moderate likelihood to take optional future mathematics coursework. Many students were interested in careers related to mathematics and science fields. Focusing on grade level, those students in higher grades expressed lower motivation, confidence in learning mathematics, and mathematics achievement. On the other hand, they showed stronger beliefs about mathematics as a male domain and the usefulness of mathematics and had stronger interests in careers related to mathematics and science fields than students in lower grades. Overall, no gender differences in motivation and confidence in learning mathematics surfaced. However, gender differences favoring boys were found in students' beliefs about mathematics as a male domain, the usefulness of mathematics, the importance of understanding concepts in mathematics, and increasing mathematical ability by effort. Boys also indicated more willingness to take optional mathematics coursework and displayed stronger interests in careers related to mathematics and science fields. The only gender difference favoring girls was mathematics achievement. The regression findings revealed that attitudes and beliefs about mathematics variables were predictive of students' mathematics achievement, future mathematics coursework intentions, and career interests. Graduation date: 2000 Thu, 09 Mar 2000 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37214 2000-03-09T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37140 The knowledge base and instructional practices of two highly qualified experienced secondary mathematics teachers Beauchman, Molly Laverne Taylor The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge base and instructional practices of two highly qualified experienced secondary mathematics teachers within the context of their classrooms during a unit in a geometry class. Data collected from interviews, classroom observations, pre and post-observation questionnaires, and detailed analyses of several lesson segments were used to create case studies for each teacher, which were compared to reveal any patterns in their instructional practices. The theoretical framework used for this study was Schoenfeld's (1998) model of teaching-in-context that included three factors that affected teachers' decisions during instruction: beliefs, goals, and their knowledge bases. The supporting questions that were investigated in this study dealt with teachers' conceptions of mathematics and teaching and learning mathematics, instructional goals, instructional strategies and curricular materials used during the unit, and any modifications made to instruction. Both teachers in this study used a more traditional lecture and discussion style of instruction that closely followed an explicit model of teaching instead of a more reform-based style of teaching. The teachers incorporated the processes of mathematics such as proof and reasoning and representation into their instruction through modeling instead of incorporating activities into instruction designed to engage students in the processes. Although both teachers were aware of and had used reform-based methods, they perceived that the traditional instructional methods were more efficient and effective. Contextual factors played a dominant role in the decisions the teachers made about their instruction. The contextual factor that had the greatest effect on instruction for these two teachers was the pressure to teach all of the topics in the required curriculum to prepare their students for the state standardized high stakes test. Other contextual factors were large class sizes, limited physical space, and limited access to technology. The results of this study indicated that although the teachers had strong content knowledge and knowledge of both traditional and reform-based pedagogy, they chose a more traditional instructional style and this decision was affected by contextual factors such as high stakes testing, a required curriculum, and the demands of their jobs. Graduation date: 2006 Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37140 2005-10-26T00:00:00Z