Research about mathematics - Online Education

In Memory of George E. Marsh II, 1942-2005. Dr.content domain. However, the most predominant
George E. Marsh II passed away on June 15, 2005.approach in recent years, regardless of theoretical
Dr. Marsh had been a professor at the University oforientation of curriculum designers, is an emphasis on
Alabama since 1989. He had also been a professor atauthentic or "real-world" applications. This is further
the University of Miami (1987-89) and the Universitycomplicated by professional disputes over
of Arkansas at Fayetteville (1977-87), schoolconstructivism, Russian art movement founded c.1913
administrator, psychometrist, and classroom teacherby Vladimir Tatlin, related to the movement known
at the elementary and secondary levels. As a partneras suprematism. After 1916 the brothers Naum Gabo
in emTech, Dr, Marsh worked closely with manyand Antoine Pevsner gave new impetus to Tatlin's
international schools. He had been a consultant forart of purely abstract (although politically intended)
the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseasconstructions. Their sculptural works derived from
School, the National Association of Elementary Schoolcubism and futurism, but had a more architectonic
Principals, and International School Services.and machinelike emphasis related to the technology
During his life, he engaged in an extremely broadof the society in which they were created. versus
range of research and scholarly interests: specialdirect instruction.
education, computer software, intelligence,Today, classroom instruction is often a mixture of
technology in education, distance education, attitudesSkilmerian behaviorism
toward mathematics and emotional intelligencebe•hav•ior•ism/ (-izm) the
Intelligence regarding the emotions, especially in thepsychologic theory based upon objectively
ability to monitor one's own or others' emotions.observable, tangible, and measurable data, rather than
. He shared the gift of his ideas, work, and effortssubjective phenomena, such as ideas and
with his students and colleagues. He taught byemotions.be•hav•ior•ism
example that intellect and scholarship are nathema(b and Piagetian or Vygotskyian epistemology
(?na`thim?) [Gr.,=something set up; dedicated to a(ipis't?mol`?je) [Gr.,=knowledge or science], the branch
divinity as a votive offering], term that came toof philosophy that is directed toward theories of the
denote something devoted to a divinity forsources, nature, and limits of knowledge. Since the
destruction. In the Bible, the term is herem.17th cent. influenced by postmodern and
Anathema means "accursed" in the New Testament,connectionist theories. Students who learn
where it clearly suggests separation from God as themathematics with understanding are better prepared
penalty. to sham, arrogance, and professionalto solve problems that they have not encountered
inflexibility. To those privileged enough to have calledpreviously but will face in real-life situations outside
him "professor," "colleague," and "friend," George willthe classroom. The national standards for
always represent the generosity of spirit and themathematics are predicated on the belief that
intellectual courage that distinguish a tree educator.students should engage in math activities that are
The academic world has lost a great educator andrelevant to daily living. However, many educators and
researcher. Those whose life George touched haveschool patrons see this as a culmination rather than
lost more than that--we have lost the guidance, care,something intrinsic to math instruction. In recent
and friendship of a great human being.years we have learned that children do not simply
To honor George, the George E. Marsh II Scholarshipinternalize what teachers tell them in classrooms.
Fund has been established at the Capitol School inStudents attempt to make sense of new information
Tuscaloosa, Alabama.based on meanings they personally construct. Current
As the modern society has become increasinglyreforms in mathematics and newly designed
dependent upon technology, science, and research,educational programs have been topics of discussion
mathematics has become critical in the preparation ofin the political arena but have not caught the
students for future careers and for the security andattention of the public.
progress of the nation. There has been considerableResearch about mathematics must continue in order
concern about mathematics instruction since theto determine the effectiveness of current and
"Space Race" of the 1950s, a concern that has onlyproposed reforms; and to evaluate the success of
continued to increase in the last decade as we haveprograms that are implemented in the K-12 and higher
entered a new technological age. Mathematics iseducation curricula. This special edition of research
constantly developing and becoming ever moreabout mathematics education provides research
specialized, which makes it more difficult to develop aarticles ranging elementary and postsecondary
curriculum that includes a larger audience of moreeducation topics, including math anxiety, curriculum,
diverse students in K-12 and higher education.attitudes, assessment, pedagogical knowledge of
Complicating this is disagreement about methodologyteachers, certification programs, beliefs, statistics, and
across content domains, with some maintaining thatcareer choices. It is with the desire of maintaining a
content disciplines are unique and that teachingcontinued interest in research in mathematics
strategies must also be unique. The opposite view iseducation that these articles are presented.
that universal methods exist regardless of the