Math Curriculum

Paper Summary:

The author of this research proposal states that math proficiency levels in the United States and the developed world are steadily dropping. After discussing the present situation the writer postulates that one of the reasons for the decline is outdated teaching methods and suggests that one possible solution would be the adoption of manipulatives as a tool for teaching math. The writer reviews current literature on the subject and then outlines his research proposal.

Outline:
Background of the Study
Thesis Statement
Significance of the Study
Literature Review
Methodology
Research Philosophy
Research Approach
Research Type and Time Line
Data Collection Methods
Qualitative Approach
Qualitative Method
Qualitative Validity
Sampling Strategy
Data Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"All research studies are based on some assumptions that the researcher that the researcher believes to be true. These assumptions make it easy for the researcher to observe his environment from a particular viewpoint, at the same time as ignoring other viewpoints. In this study, the researcher plan to view the subjects as rational individuals who have a scientific viewpoint. They are reasonable in their analysis and their approach and are generally at the level of scientific thinking. In addition, the researcher will assume scientific rationale and commonsense thinking are somewhat similar. In light of these assumptions, this study takes post-positivism as its philosophy as in line with Trochim (2007) post-positivism is the complete and absolute rejection of positivism (which believed that the laws of this world were motorized and deduction was the only method to make sense of this universe) and presuppose that humans reasoning abilities and scientific rationale are more or less similar and to facilitate the truth scientists should use not only deduction but also induction methods (Trochim, 2007). Therefore, post-positivist philosophy will assist this study to achieve its objectives with accuracy, clarity, relevance and precision."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anghileri, J. (2001). Intuitive approaches, mental strategies and standard algorithms. In J. Anghileri (ed.), Principles and practices in arithmetic teaching: Innovative approaches in the primary classroom (pp. 79-94). Buckingham: Open University Press.
• Beishuizen, M. (1999). The empty number line as a new model. In I. Thompson (ed.), Issues in teaching numeracy in primary schools (pp. 157-68). Buckingham: Open University Press.
• Ball, D.L. (1992). Magical hopes: Manipulatives and the reform of math education. American Educator, 16, 14-I 8.
• Brown, M., Askew, M., Baker, D., Denvir, H., and Millett, A. (1998). Is the national numeracy strategy research-based? British Journal of Educational Studies, 46(4), 362-85.
• Buys, K. (2001). Progressive mathematisation: Sketch of a learning strand. In J. Anghileri (ed. ), Principles and practices in arithmetic teaching: Innovative approaches for the primary school (pp. 107-18). Buckingham: Open University Press.

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• Term Paper # 145519 : "Integrating Literature into the Math Curriculum in Elementary Grades"
• Analytical Essay # 110229 : "Literacy Components in the Math Curriculum"
• Analytical Essay # 143260 : "A Curricular Study of 6th Grade Math"

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