This paper is a progress report of the first phase of a project which essentially seeks to replicate previous studies using the successful/unsuccessful design in an attempt to: (1) corroborate the surface/deep structure conclusion which has become an essential component of an understanding of problem-solving; (2) examine more closely the nature of…

Both teachers and students alike acknowledge that genetics and genetics problem-solving are extremely difficult to learn and to teach. Therefore, a number of recommendations for teaching college genetics are offered. Although few of these ideas have as yet been tested in controlled experiments, they are supported by research and experience and may…

The manual presents an overview of the career development process for college students with language learning disabilities (LD). A systematic problem solving process is advocated beginning with job selection and preparation and continuing through retirement. Such a process can help the LD adult to identify personal strengths and weaknesses,…

This reinforcement activity has been used by students from the elementary school level to the graduate school level who possess intermediate level ability in programming Logo. The activity, which consists of writing Logo programs that animate an object, can have several positive effects as it: (1) helps develop problem-solving skills; (2)…

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate methods for developing cognitive processes in adult students. It discusses concept formation and concept attainment, problem solving (which involves concept formation and concept attainment), Bruner's three stages of learning (enactive, iconic, and symbolic modes), and visual thinking. A curriculum for…

Computers can create an atmosphere of success for children with attention deficit disorders (ADD). Appropriate software can help to encourage creative and imaginative ideas with judgment temporarily suspended. Software which may be useful in this attempt is reviewed, and three suggestions are made for parents and teachers: (1) assemble existing…

Four- and 5-year-olds' understanding of basic turtle graphics commands was examined before and after a hands-on, interactive problem-solving experience. Children (n=32) saw display screen events consisting of an initial turtle state, a command transformation, and the resulting turtle state. They were asked to give the command executed in each…

Performance of 25 learning disabled (LD) and 25 normally achieving college students on the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (Figural) was compared. Group mean scores were analyzed using a t-test. Group mean Figural Creativity Index Scores were significantly higher for the LD students than the normally achieving students. Subtest score analysis…

Presents the opinion that the learning environment of recitation classes can be vastly improved if instructors pay attention to some basic learning principles. Summarizes these learning principles and presents a specific example of their application. (GS)

The article presents seven questions on difficult instructional situations. Each question is followed by one or more responses and one or more typical comments that a person might make to the response. The responses and comments offer suggestions for handling the instructional problems. (Author/MS)

Problem solving is presented as a resource for creating curriculum through reflections on intuition such as: exploring available intuitions, making explicit the intuitions used, and using intuition to generalize. (MP)

A situation is presented that is intended to lead to open-ended mathematical discussions that allow students to conjecture, discover, and prove mathematical statements. (MP)

A general method is given for determining an efficient problem-solving process for a given type problem. An application of the method is then described in an experiment involving teaching indefinite integration. (MP)

Discusses some theorems and properties of figures produced when circles are tangent to one another. (GA)

Tells about an assignment in a technical writing course, in which students are presented with a hypothetical problem faced by a business corporation; they then work in groups to write memos detailing possible solutions to the problem. (GW)