Educators can encourage students to question popular misconceptions about population growth. Identifies and counters 16 population myths based on unverifiable or imaginary relationships. Discusses interventions that have been shown to rapidly bring about reductions in desired family size and actual fertility. (LZ)

Contends that peer mediation offers a way for students to settle disagreements without violence and without involving the traditional system of school discipline. Discusses brief background about peer mediation, then presents one high school mediation program that has been implemented and evaluated. Outlines step-by-step approach to implement a…

This article describes leadership development activities with gifted preschool and kindergarten children enrolled in the University of Redlands (California) summer school program and a local private elementary school. Methods of teaching the skills of social sensitivity, problem solving, and conflict resolution are described, including role…

Discusses the ability of young children to engage in critical decision making. Reviews the steps in the decision-making process. Presents a lesson plan requiring children in grades four through six to analyze and decide whether the United States should take control of a mythical island. Provides instructions on procedures, handouts, and evaluation…

Although traditional discipline procedures (expulsion, time-out rooms, suspensions, and scolding) teach students to depend on authority figures to resolve conflicts, the Peacemaker Program teaches children how to mediate disputes and negotiate solutions themselves. To regulate their own behavior, students must have opportunities to make decisions…

Discussion of virtual reality (VR) focuses on research and development being carried out at NYNEX to solve business problems. Component technologies are described; design decisions are considered, including interactivity, connectivity, and locus of control; potential perils of VR are discussed, including user dissociation; and areas of promise are…

Mathematics portfolios need not be limited to problem-solving efforts. When California algebra teacher asked students what portfolio contents would show their effort and learning, they suggested daily notes, personal budget and lottery projects, scale drawing, their best and worst tests, weekly problems, daily class notes, and homework. Students…

Presents strategies for solving 13 common personnel problems that frequently emerge with the implementation of year-round schools. Issues focus on staffing and working conditions. (MLF)

Discusses computer programming and why it is important in library and information science (LIS) education. BASIC programming language is recommended as the most appropriate for LIS students, and an example is given of its use in a course at McGill University. (29 references) (LRW)

Describes a class project/case study where students draft a proposal and present it to a board for deliberation. Details how students analyze the current problem and the cause, brainstorm for a preferred and alternative solutions, and discuss advantages and disadvantages. (PRA)

The COMET summer residential program at Purdue University (Indiana) offers gifted and talented youth in grades 4-6 a week of intensive study in a single content area. Courses stress specific problem-solving skills and development of a rich knowledge base. Extensive program evaluation by students, teachers, counselors, and parents was highly…

Analyzes multiple components of planning, including problem representation, goal selection, a decision to plan, strategy choice, strategy execution, and monitoring. Analyzes three tasks typically used to study planning: the Tower of Hanoi; errand scheduling; and story comprehension. Argues that the components required to perform a planning task…

Reviews recent research related to metacognition and mathematical problem-solving performance. Offers suggestions for classroom activities to teach the skills of metacognition (i.e., plan, monitor, and evaluate thinking) in the context of mathematics. Offers instructor observations and students' self-evaluations about the types of metacognitive…

Describes a plan designed to teach and assess (cumulatively and sequentially) five levels of problem-solving ability in three standard courses in the theater curriculum at Alverno College in Wisconsin. (SR)

Some suggestions for troubleshooting when problems develop with a college merchandising program cover topics such as delivery delays, product quality, promotional material, merchandise that outside manufacturers sell directly through ads in alumni magazines, and "lemons." (MLW)