Comments on The Co-emergence of Machine Techniques, Paper-and-Pencil Techniques, and Theoretical Reflection

We comment on the paper The co-emergence of machine techniques, paper-and-pencil techniques, and theoretical reflection: A study of CAS use in secondary school algebra by Carolyn Kieran and Paul Drijvers. We look at aspects of Kieran and Drijvers' analysis with regard to ‚task-technique-theory’ in the light of a model of abstraction in context and suggest that this re-viewing brings mutual analytic benefits.     

Instrumenting Mathematical Activity: Reflections on Key Studies of the Educational Use of Computer Algebra Systems

This paper examines the process through which students learn to make functional use of computer algebra systems (CAS), and the interaction between that process and the wider mathematical development of students. The result of ‘instrumentalising‘ a device to become a mathematical tool and correspondingly ‘instrumenting’ mathematical activity through use of that tool is not only to extend students' mathematical technique but to shape their sense of the mathematical entities involved. These ideas have been developed within a French programme of research – as reported by Artigue in this issue of the journal – which has explored the integration of CAS – typically in the form of symbolic calculators – into the everyday practice of mathematics classrooms. The French research –influenced by socio-psychological theorisation of the development of conceptual systems- seeks to take account of the cultural and cognitive facets of these issues, noting how mathematical norms – or their absence – shape the mental schemes which students form as they appropriate CAS as tools. Instrumenting graphic and symbolic reasoning through using CAS influences the range and form of the tasks and techniques experienced by students, and so the resources available for more explicit codification and theorisation of such reasoning. This illuminates an influential North American study– conducted by Heid – which French researchers have seen as taking a contrasting view of the part played by technical activity in developing conceptual understanding. Reconsidered from this perspective, it appears that while teaching approaches which ‘resequence skills and concepts’ indeed defer – and diminish –attention to routinised skills, the tasks introduced in their place depend on another –albeit less strongly codified – system of techniques, supporting more extensive and active theorisation. The French research high lights important challenges which arise in instrumenting classroom mathematical activity and correspondingly instrumentalising CAS. In particular, it reveals fundamental constraints on human-machine interaction which may limit the capacity of the present generation of CAS to scaffold the mathematical thinking and learning of students. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Framework for Monitoring Progress and Planning Teaching Towards the Effective Use of Computer Algebra Systems

This article suggests a framework to organise a cluster of variables that are associated with students' effective use of computer algebra systems (CAS) in mathematics learning. Based on a review of the literature and from the authors' own teaching experience, the framework identifies the main characteristics of students' interactions with CAS technology and how these may be used to monitor students' developing use of CAS; from this, the framework may be used to plan teaching in order to gain greater benefit from the availability of CAS. Four case studies describing students' development over a semester are reported. These demonstrate a variety of combinations of technical competencies and personal attributes. They indicate the importance of both the technical and personal aspects but suggest that negative attitudes rather than technical difficulties can limit the effective use of CAS. Finally practical suggestions are given for teaching strategies which may promote effective use of CAS.This revised version was published online in September 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Curriculum, Classroom Practices, and Tool Design in the Learning of Functions Through Technology-Aided Experimental Approaches

The paper starts from classroom situations about the study of a functional relationship with help of technological tools as a ‘transposition’ of experimental approaches from research mathematical practices. It considers the limitation of this transposition in existing curricula and practices based on the use of non-symbolic software like dynamic geometry and spreadsheets. The paper focuses then on the potentialities of classroom use of computer algebra packages that could help to go beyond this shortcoming. It looks at a contradiction: while symbolic calculation is a basic tool for mathematicians, curricula and teachers are very cautious regarding their use by students. The rest of the paper considers the design and experiment of a computer environment Casyopée as means to contribute to an evolution of curricula and classroom practices to achieve the transposition in the domain of algebraic activities linked to functions.     

Remarks on Nonassociative Structures in Quantum Projective Field Theory: the Central Extension jl(2,C) of the Double sl(2,C)+sl(2,C) of the Simple Lie Algebra sl(2,C) and Related Topics

This paper is a revised and expanded version of two notes devoted to nonassociative structures in quantum projective field theory.     

A Study of STEM Assessments in Engineering,Science, and Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Students

The purpose of this study was to develop, scale, and validate assessments in engineering, science, and mathematics with grade appropriate items that were sensitive to the curriculum developed by teachers. The use of item response theory to assess item functioning was a focus of the study. The work is part of a larger project focused on increasing student learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)‐related areas in grades 4–8 through an engineering design‐based, integrated approach to STEM instruction and assessment. The fact that the assessments are available to school districts at no cost, and represent psychometrically sound instruments that are sensitive to STEM‐oriented curriculum, offers schools an important tool for gauging students' understanding of engineering, science, and mathematics concepts.     

Integrating Science,Mathematics, and Technology in Middle School Technology‐Rich Environments: A Study of Implementation and Change

The GTECH project, funded through a grant from the GTE Foundation, prepared school teams of science, mathematics and technology teachers and an administrator to set goals for their local schools regarding implementation of electronic technology and integration of content across curricular areas. A variety of teacher‐centered staff development strategies were used to enable participants to achieve local school objectives, model and encourage active learning environments involving technology, develop integrated curriculum and provide training to their peers. GTECH staff provided workshops and summer institutes based on teacher feedback and classroom observations. Data from the Stages of Concerns Questionnaire assisted the staff in designing effective staff development activities. Over the 2‐year period, teacher teams developed and implemented integrated instructional materials and developed skills in using HyperStudio, PowerPoint, telecommunications applications, and instructional resources from the Internet. They also linked instruction to new state and national standards in science, mathematics, and technology. GTECH teachers reported that their students have expanded their knowledge and skill in problem solving, teamwork, technical expertise, and creativity.     

高技术产业技术创新生态系统健康性评价及关键影响因素分析——基于改进熵值-DEMATEL-ISM组合方法的实证研究

高技术产业技术创新生态系统的健康发展对完善国家创新生态系统至关重要。本研究选取24个系统健康性影响因素,运用改进熵值-DEMATEL-ISM组合方法得出2011~2016年中国省际系统健康性得分,并对健康性关键影响因素及因素间的作用关系予以分析。结果表明,几年间系统健康性得分水平偏低且存在东部优于中部、中部优于西部的区域差异;系统健康性关键影响因素为有研发机构的企业数占比、国际竞争力、市场需求、对人员的吸附能力、知识产权保护、国内竞争力、引进外资和高技术企业数量;关键原因因素借助中层因素的中介传递作用影响关键结果因素最终影响系统健康的9条影响传递路径是关联广泛的主导路径,在改善系统健康性时应优先重视。     

居民生活碳排放抽样调查方案设计:以青海省为例

调查方案设计是居民生活碳排放调查及数据分析的基础和保证.以大量文献和作者在居民生活碳排放调查中的实践经验为基础,立足调查方案的科学性和实践操作的可行性,以青海省为例,从居民生活碳排放调查的统计量选取、抽样框的构建、抽样方法的选择和样本量的确定、调查方案实施的详细步骤4方面综述性归纳了一套居民生活碳排放调查方案设计的方法,以期为居民生活碳排放研究提供参考.     

The minimization of open stacks problem: A review of some properties and their use in pre-processing operations

Pre-processing operations that reduce the size of a problem may be decisive for solving or not solving practical instances of a NP-hard problem. In this article we review some properties suggested in the literature for the minimization of open stacks problem that can be used in pre-processing operations to reduce the instances sizes. We also present a new pre-processing technique that may be very effective in reducing the size of an instance. We present computational tests with the suggested pre-processing operations applied on sets of MOSP instances of the literature and we show that the reductions obtained can be significant.     

The Use of Dimensional and Similarity Analyses in the Propagation of Uncertainties: A Physical Example

Dimensional and similarity analyses are used in physics and engineering, specially in fluid mechanics, to reduce the dimension of the input variable space with no loss of information. Here, we apply these techniques to the propagation of uncertainties for computer codes by the Monte Carlo method, in order to reduce the variance of the estimators of the parameters of the output variable distribution. In the physics and engineering literature, dimensional analysis is often formulated intuitively in terms of physical quantities or dimensions such as time, longitude, or mass; here we use the more rigorous and more abstract generalized dimensional analysis of Moran and Marshek. The reduction of dimensionality is only successful in reducing estimator variance when applying variance-reduction techniques and not when using ordinary random sampling. In this article we use stratified sampling, and the key point of the success of the reduction in dimensionality in improving the precision of the estimates is a better measurement of the distances betwen the outputs, for given inputs. We illustrate the methodology with an application to a physical problem, a radioactive contaminant transport code. A substantial variance reduction is achieved for the estimators of the mean, variance, and distribution function of the output. Last, we present a discussion on which conditions are necessary for the method to be successful.     

The Effects of Project‐Based Learning on Students' Academic Achievement,Attitude, and Retention of Knowledge: The Subject of “Electricity in Our Lives”

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of project‐based learning on students' academic achievement, attitude, and retention of knowledge in relation to the subject of “Electricity in Our Lives” in a fourth‐grade science course. The study was conducted in a quasi‐experimental design as a “pre‐test, post‐test with control group.” In the experimental group, the unit was taught through the project‐based learning method. The measuring tools were administered to both groups before and after the applications. To perfectly analyze the “process” of the method, seven different learning assessment “forms” were administered to the students. The findings of the forms indicated that the students learn to construct their own learning and to evaluate changes in their own behavior through the application of the method. The application of different methods between both groups had a statistically significant effect in terms of academic achievement, (F(1,112) = 46.78, p = .000) and of retention of knowledge (F(1,112) = 35.24, p = .000). However, there were no statistically significant effects from being in different groups for the attitudes of students (F(1,112) = .99, p = .321). For the students, being in the project‐based learning groups resulted in better academic achievement and retention of knowledge than being in the traditional teaching group.     

Measurement of a linkage among environmental,operational, and financial performance in Japanese manufacturing firms: A use of Data Envelopment Analysis with strong complementary slackness condition

This study investigates a linkage among environmental, operational and financial performance in Japanese manufacturing industry. All manufacturing firms examined in this study are listed in Tokyo stock exchange market. We use DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) as an evaluation methodology. This study finds that large firms have managerial capabilities to improve their operational and environmental performance. The improvement leads to the enhancement of their financial performance. However, we cannot find such a business linkage in small and medium-sized firms. They improve their operational performance and then direct themselves toward the improvement of their environmental performance. Their environmental performance is, not the first priority, the second priority for the small and medium-sized firms even though Japanese government is currently making a policy pressure on all manufacturing firms to pay attention to various environmental issues related to the global warming and climate change. The environmental protection policy is effective on only large Japanese manufacturing firms that have technological and financial capabilities for environmental protection.     

A ranking model in uncertain, imprecise and multi-experts contexts: The application of evidence theory

We consider ranking problems where the actions are evaluated on a set of ordinal criteria. The evaluation of each alternative with respect to each criterion may be imperfect and is provided by one or several experts. We model each imperfect evaluation as a basic belief assignment (BBA). In order to rank the BBAs characterizing the performances of the actions according to each criterion, a new concept called RBBD and based on the comparison of these BBAs to ideal or nadir BBAs is proposed. This is performed using belief distances that measure the dissimilarity of each BBA to the ideal or nadir BBAs. A model inspired by Xu et al.’s method is also proposed and illustrated by a pedagogical example.     

基于灰色关联分析和层次分析法的新型工业化水平综合评价——以中部六省为例

新型工业化水平评价是结合我国工业化发展的实际情况和特色,基于在工业化进程中获取的大量经济数据,对工业化发展水平进行全面、系统地分析.基于新型工业化的深刻内涵,构建了新型工业化水平的评价指标体系,并综合运用灰色关联分析和层次分析法,提出了一个新型工业化水平的综合评价模型,模型运用灰色关联分析法计算评价对象的灰色关联系数,采用层次分析法确定评价指标的权值,进而计算加权灰色关联度作为判定评价对象优劣的准则.运用该模型对2005年到2008年中部6省即湖南、江西、湖北、安徽、河南、山西6个省份及全国的新型工业化水平进行综合评价,得到了其新型工业化水平的排序.     

A Study of Highly Qualified Science Teachers' Career Trajectory in the Deep,Rural South: Examining a Link Between Deprofessionalization and Teacher Dissatisfaction

Science teacher retention, attrition, and migration continue to perplex educational scholars, political entities, as well as the general public. This study utilized an interpretive methodological design to generate assertions regarding career choice made by highly qualified science teachers in the deep, rural South through analysis of documents, interviews, focus groups, and observation. Generally considered “difficult to staff” because of location, socioeconomics, and demographics, Wilson County High School is an exemplar in science teacher retention and student achievement. Findings presented include how the science department at Wilson County improved student learning outcomes as well as the reasons why two of the highly qualified science teachers at this school were considering leaving the profession they love.     

The “Essential Tension” at Work in Qualitative Analysis: A Case Study of the Opposite Points of View of Poincaré and Enriques on the Relationships between Analysis and Geometry

An analysis of the different philosophic and scientific visions of Henri Poincaré and Federigo Enriques relative to qualitative analysis provides us with a complex and interesting image of the “essential tension” between “tradition” and “innovation” within the history of science. In accordance with his scientific paradigm, Poincaré viewed qualitative analysis as a means for preserving the nucleus of the classical reductionist program, even though it meant “bending the rules” somewhat. To Enriques's mind, qualitative analysis represented the affirmation of a synthetic, geometrical vision that would supplant the analytical/quantitative conception characteristic of 19th-century mathematics and mathematical physics. Here, we examine the two different answers given at the turn of the century to the question of the relationship between geometry and analysis and between mathematics, on the one hand, and mechanics and physics, on the other.Copyright 1998 Academic Press.Un'analisi delle diverse posizioni filosofiche e scientifiche di Henri Poincaré e Federigo Enriques nei riguardi dell'analisi qualitativa fornisce un'immagine complessa e interessante della “tensione essenziale” tra “tradizione” e “innovazione” nell'ambito della storia della scienza. In linea con il proprio paradigma scientifico, Poincaré vedeva nell'analisi qualitativa un mezzo per preservare il nucleo del programma riduzionista calssico, anche se cio comportava una lieve “distorsione delle regole”. Nella mente di Enriques, l'analisi qualitativa rappresentava l'affermazione di un punto di vista sintetico e geometrico che avrebbe soppiantato la concezione analitico-quantitativa caratteristica della matematica e della fisica matematica del 19° secolo. Il nostro scopo principale è di esaminare due diverse risposte date a cavallo del secolo alla questione dei rapporti tra geometria e analisi e tra matematica da un lato e meccanica e fisica dall'altro.Copyright 1998 Academic Press.AMS subject classification: 01A55