The emphasis of the C 4 L program is a pedagogical approach based on a constructivist theoretical perspective of how mathematics is learned. According to this emerging theory, students need to construct their own understanding of each mathematical concept. A critical aspect of our approach is a decomposition of each mathematical concept into developmental steps following a Piagetian theory of knowledge based on observation of, and interviews with, students as they attempt to learn a concept. Guiding Principles Research into how students learn is primary.
Conceptual understanding is the most important, but calculations play a major role.
Technology can be valuable, and some ways of using it can be more valuable than others. Cooperative learning is the right context for a mathematics course. Lecturing should be replaced by a task-oriented interactive classroom. Textbooks and course structure must support the pedagogical strategy. Each unit begins with students performing computer activities in a laboratory.