What makes mathematics lessons interesting in the middle school : student and teacher perceptions : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Educational Studies in Mathematics at Massey University

Some researchers have suggested that students in schools find mathematics classes boring, and that this attitude towards learning mathematics gets stronger as students grow older. Using reports of students and teachers, this study investigates how interest is used and developed in intermediate school mathematics classes. Five teachers and 101 Year 7 and 8 students from a single co-educational suburban state intermediate school participated in the study. One teacher and ten student focus group discussions to explore attitudes to and uses of interest in their mathematics classrooms were audio-taped. The results of these discussions were used to develop themes that formed the basis of separate student and staff questionnaires for all participants. Further data was obtained from a mathematics class journal kept by participants, and from individual interviews with all staff and seven randomly chosen students. The study showed that both teachers and students had similar ideas about what students found interesting, and revealed several aspects of classroom practices that heightened and/or developed interest in learning mathematics. The most notable of these were: using hands-on activities; teacher enthusiasm; group work and student progress. Mathematical content was rarely seen as interesting in itself, although probability, symmetry and transformations, geometry and problem solving were regarded as the most interesting sub-strands of the curriculum, while number, measurement and 'all of mathematics' garnered least support. Bookwork using textbooks or worksheets was usually considered boring, and activities such as external mathematics competitions and challenging or easy mathematics polarised student opinion. Interest has a complex and generally positive association with learning. Student reports suggest that two interest factors that have the potential to be used more effectively in mathematics lessons are teacher enthusiasm and group work. The catch phase of situational interest, the aspect of interest most frequently used, was rarely developed further. This study suggests that mathematics learning will benefit from further developing interest in mathematics classes by linking situational interest factors with mathematical content, student experiences and clarity about each student's progress. Teachers need professional development and resource support for this to happen

GDP-Indexed Bonds: Making It Happen

There has been increasing interest in exploring financial instruments that could limit the cyclical vulnerabilities of developing countries and reduce the likelihood of defaults and debt crises. GDP-indexed bonds fall into this category and may also generate a wider range of benefits for issuer countries, investors and the global financial system. The authors also examine the concerns and obstacles relating to the introduction of this instrument, suggesting that some may be exaggerated while others could be overcome. The paper calls for international public action to help develop markets for GDP-linked bonds and proposes a number of actions, some of which would require collaboration between Governments, multilateral development banks and the private sector.GDP-indexed bonds, cyclical vulnerabilities, issuers, investors, public good, international public action

The New Basle Capital Accord and Developing Countries: Issues, Implications and Policy Proposals

Risk-management, Internal-ratings, Pro-cyclicality, Net impact

International Monetary and Financial Issues for Developing Countries after UNCTAD V

SUMMARY This article describes and evaluates the main international monetary and financial issues discussed at UNCTAD V. One of the Conference's main achievements was the attempt by the Group of 77 to elaborate a more comprehensive critique of the existing financial system than they had previously done. After an analysis of the UNCTAD V critique of IMF policy, proposals for more concrete modifications of IMF conditions are suggested here. The UNCTAD proposal for a ‘massive transfer of resources’ is examined in the light of former experiences of massive aid; the need to consider the almost inevitable link between large volumes of aid and an increase in the conditions imposed by donor countries is stressed. Some issues and problems raised by the recent large growth of developing country borrowing from private multinational banks are discussed here, even though they were hardly mentioned at UNCTAD V. It is suggested that, to avoid conditions being imposed on developing countries by financial institutions controlled by developed countries, alternative financial institutions collectively run by the Third World could be created. RÉSUMÉ Les questions financières et monétaires internationales pour les pays en développement après la cinquième CNUCED Cet article décrit et évalue les principales questions financières et monétaires internationales débattues à la cinquième CNUCED. L'une des principales réalisations de la Conférence a été la tentative faite par le Groupe des 77 pour élaborer une critique plus exhaustive du système financier international. Aprèsune analyse de la critique de la politique du FMI, viennent des propositions visant des modifications plus concrètes des conditions imposées par celui?ci. La proposition de la CNUCED relative à un ‘transfert massif de ressources’ est examinée à la lumière des expériences antérieures d'aide massive; l'article souligne à cet égard la nécessité de prendre en compte le lien presque inévitable entre l'intensification de l'aide et l'imposition de conditions plus lourdes par les pays donateurs. Certaines des questions soulevées par la rapide croissance des emprunts des PVD auprès de banques transnationales privées sont étudiées ici, bien qu'elles aient été à peine mentionnées à la CNUCED. Il est suggéré que pour éviter l'imposition aux PVD de conditions exigées par les établissements de financement contrôlés par les pays développés, on pourrait envisager de créer des établissements financiers gérés collectivement par le tiers monde. RESUMEN Aspectos financieros y monetarios internacionales para los países en vías de desarrollo después de la UNCTAD V En este artículo se describen y evalúan los principales aspectos financieros y monetarios internacionales debatidos en la UNCTAD V. Uno de los principales éxitos de la conferencia fue la la tentativa del Grupo de los 77 de elaborar una crítica más completa sobre el sistema financiero actual que lo habían hecho anteriormente. Después de un análisis de la crítica de la UNCTAD V sobre la política del FMI, se sugieren aquí propuestas para modificaciones más concretas de las condiciones del FMI. La propuesta de la UNCTAD para un ‘traspaso masivo de recursos’ se examina teniendo en cuenta las anteriores experiencias de la ayuda masiva y se pone de relieve la necesidad de examinar el vínculo casi inevitable entre una ayuda muy amplia y un aumento en las condiciones impuestas por los países donantes. También se analizan en este artículo algunos puntos y problemas suscitados por el gran aumento reciente de los fondos que han tomado prestados los países en vías de desarrollo de los bancos privados multinacionales, aunque apenas se mencionaron en la UNCTAD V. Se sugiere que para evitar que las instituciones financieras controladas por los países desarrollados impongan condiciones sobre los países en vías de desarrollo, podrían crearse instituciones financieras alternativas regidas de manera colectiva por el Tercer Mundo

A counter-cyclical framework for a development-friendly international financial architecture

The major task of a development-friendly international financial architecture is to mitigate pro-cyclical effects of financial markets and open “policy space” for counter-cyclical macroeconomic policies in the developing world. This paper explores a series of policy instruments for this purpose: counter-cyclical prudential regulatory and supervisory frameworks; market mechanisms that better distribute the risk faced by developing countries through the business cycle; multilateral instruments that encourage more stable private flows; and better provision of counter-cyclical official liquidity. It also suggests that regional macroeconomic consultation, and common reserve funds or swap arrangements among developing countries can play a role in this regard.volatility, contagion, financial crises, counter-cyclical macroeconomic policies, counter­cyclical prudential regulation, GDP-indexed and local currency bonds, regional macroeconomic cooperation.

Capital account regulations for stability and development: a new approach

This repository item contains a single issue of Issues in Brief, a series of policy briefs that began publishing in 2008 by the Boston University Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future.In the wake of the financial crisis numerous emerging market and developing countries have been deploying what have traditionally been referred to as ‘capital controls’ to curb excessive speculation on their currencies and domestic assets. In response to those efforts, French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on the International Monetary Fund to develop a set of guidelines for the use of capital controls. The goal is for the President to present such guidelines at the G-20 Summit in Cannes this year. The IMF has published a preliminary set of guidelines to that end. This policy brief provides a critical review of those guidelines and offers an alternative protocol for a development friendly-approach to capital account regulation. In this policy brief, the co-conveners of the Pardee Center Task Force on Managing Capital Flows for Long-Run Development argue that capital account regulations (CARs) should be viewed as an essential tool in the macroeconomic policy toolkit. Based on discussions that occurred at the Task Force meeting in September 2011, the authors present an alternative set of guidelines for how and when CARs should be employed, and call for international financial institutions and international trade agreements to ensure that policy space remains available to allow developing countries to employ CARs when deemed necessary for financial stability and economic development

The Financial Crisis and Its Impact on Developing Countries

This working paper has been commissioned by the Poverty Group, Bureau for Development Policy at UNDP, to identify the transmission mechanisms of the financial crisis from developed to developing countries and to provide broad policy recommendations at the national, global and regional level. The paper identifies three mechanisms that play a key role in spreading the consequences of the financial crisis to the developing world: remittances, capital flows and trade. The policy responses take MDG achievement and poverty reduction as the central policy concern. The paper indicates that a fair number of countries have policy space to protect vulnerable groups in the short run as well as to undertake investments to build resilience and reach these goals in the longer term. Other countries will need additional development assistance to protect development achievements. The authors point to a number of factors that need to be taken into account in determining what mix of policies to deploy including the macroeconomic, fiscal and policy stance of countries and their dynamics. The paper also proposes far-reaching reforms to address the global financial crisis, which would help to put the global macroeconomic, fiscal and financial coordination mechanisms on a firmer footing.The Financial Crisis and Its Impact on Developing Countries

National development banks and sustainable infrastructure; the case of KfW

This repository item contains a working paper from the Boston University Global Economic Governance Initiative. The Global Economic Governance Initiative (GEGI) is a research program of the Center for Finance, Law & Policy, the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, and the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies. It was founded in 2008 to advance policy-relevant knowledge about governance for financial stability, human development, and the environment.KfW was initially founded in 1948 to finance the reconstruction of war-torn Germany after World War II. The initial capital of the KfW was financed by Marshall Plan resources, provided by the US government. Additional expansions of capital have been basically funded from profits of KfW itself which reflects the efficiency with which it operates, and the high commercial, as well as developmental, quality of its loans. KfW has expanded significantly over the years, both in Germany and internationally. It has become the second largest commercial bank in Germany. Its large scale and its function as a German government instrument to implement a clear energy strategy has allowed it to play a key role in Germany to finance major energy transformation in the country and one of the most important energy transformations in Europe (known as Energie wende).[TRUNCATED