Research in Collegiate Mathematics Education. V (Cbms Issues in Mathematics Education) (v. 5)

This fifth volume of Research in Collegiate Mathematics Education (RCME) presents state-of-the-art research on understanding, teaching, and learning mathematics at the post-secondary level. The articles in RCME are peer-reviewed for two major features: (1) advancing our understanding of collegiate mathematics education, and (2) readability by a wide audience of practicing mathematicians interested in issues affecting their own students. This is not a collection of scholarly arcana, but a compilation of useful and informative research regarding the ways our students think about and learn mathematics. The volume begins with a study from Mexico of the cross-cutting concept of variable followed by two studies dealing with aspects of calculus reform. The next study frames its discussion of students' conceptions of infinite sets using the psychological work of Efraim Fischbein on (mathematical) intuition. This is followed by two papers concerned with APOS theory and other frameworks regarding mathematical understanding. The final study provides some preliminary results on student learning using technology when lessons are delivered via the Internet. Whether specialists in education or mathematicians interested in finding out about the field, readers will obtain new insights about teaching and learning and will take away ideas they can use.