Despite increasing college enrollment and growing diversity of the college student population, college completion rates are low. Many colleges are exploring ways to leverage technology to improve student retention and increase the educational options for and success of their diverse student bodies. Web-based course or learning management systems…

Illustrates an integrative approach to business education that combines interpersonal and problem-solving skills with behavior modeling films and case studies. This approach is advocated to ensure higher levels of learning of both practical and theoretical issues related to real business situations. (SK)

This learning activity develops algorithms to ensure that the process of selecting materials is well defined and sound. These procedures require the use of many databases to provide the designer with information such as physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of the materials under consideration. A design brief, student quiz, and five…

Describes a problem-based learning strategy which helps train principals for an increasingly demanding job. Conceptualizes problem-based learning; provides a rationale for this strategy; and uses a real example from a course in problem-based learning taught at the University of Georgia. (RS)

Examines the nature of observational science and cites its role as a foundation for subsequent scientific research. Uses a case history to illustrate the interplay of observation, problem recognition, and hypothesis testing. (DDR)

This users' manual, intended for use with a Project Head Start teacher training notebook, describes the purpose, development and field testing of the training materials and suggests procedures for using the notebook as a resource in teacher training sessions. The training notebook to which the users' manual refers is based on 11 questions in the…

Discusses the problem-solving heuristics of examining for special cases, utilizing dimensions to make sense of proposed solutions, and symmetry. Presents examples to illustrate the use of one or combinations of these heuristics. (MDH)

Presents a public-key cryptosystem application to introduce students to several topics in discrete mathematics. A computer algorithms using recursive methods is presented to solve a problem in which one person wants to send a coded message to a second person while keeping the message secret from a third person. (MDH)

Introduces an example project to describe a knowledge creation process and a practical mechanism for capturing and disseminating knowledge in a small working group. Describes the needs analysis, design process, and development process. (DDR)

Discusses a misconception about the cycloid that asserts the final point on the path of shortest time in the "Brachistochrone" problem is at the lowest point on the cycloid. Uses a BASIC program for Newton's method to determine the correct least-time cycloid. (MDH)

The planning and organization of problem-solving workshops for teachers are discussed. Suggestions for activities and anecdotes of teacher participation at workshops are provided. (CW)

Uses the problem of determining when a car and truck traveling at the same speed will collide after the truck has applied its brakes to illustrate the need to consider boundary conditions when solving problems in elementary mechanics. (MDH)

One of a series of workplace education modules, this 6-week module presents activities and materials designed to lead participants through a systematic approach to problem-solving in the workplace. Following a brief overview, indicating that the module emphasizes five phases in problem-solving (i.e., using key problem-solving concepts, identifying…

Mediation is a process of intervention into a dispute between two parties by a neutral third party who assists them in voluntarily reaching a mutually acceptable settlement of the issues in dispute. In a classroom setting, mediation can be a tool for teaching communication skills in a new and interesting manner. Allowing students to use newly…

Using the notion of the difference between a number and its cube as a starting point, this article presents a wide range of mathematical activities at varying levels of sophistication utilizing numerical, intuitive, and graphical approaches. (JJK)