The author calls into question whether learning to read and write is an exclusively logical and systematic process in which the child moves step-by-step from part to whole, as it is frequently presented in "scientific" reading research. She examines research on different types of intuitive behavior and suggests parallels in the development of…

An intuitive derivation of Stirling's formula is presented, together with a modification that greatly improves its accuracy. The derivation is based on the closed form evaluation of the gamma function at an integer plus one-half. The modification is easily implemented on a hand-held calculator and often triples the number of significant digits…

Johnson-Laird and coworkers' Mental Model theory of propositional reasoning is shown to be somewhere in between what logicians have defined as "credulous" and "skeptical" with respect to the conclusions it draws on default reasoning problems. It is then argued that in situations where skeptical reasoning has been shown to lead to problematic…

This article attempts to demonstrate the intelligibility of Bergson's philosophy by analyzing his philosophical method and then applying it to the notions of biological time and of temporal hierarchy in biology. Bergson's philosophical method contains three parts: the first is factual and scientific, the second intuitional and reflective, and the…

Despite significant progress over the past six decades, a number of obstacles still exist as far as the understanding and application of inventive ideation techniques is concerned. This paper describes the development of a model aimed at simplifying the selection and application of these techniques. Analysis of a diverse range of creative thinking…

This writing describes a literacy project between preservice teachers enrolled in a small university in Montana and an inner city school classroom in Kansas. It shows how the preservice teachers and children negotiate meaning at the beginning of the project as well as what the preservice teachers were learning from the children and from their…

Challenges Smolensky's theory that human intuitive/nonconscious cognitive processes can only be accurately explained in terms of subsymbolic computations in artificial neural networks. Symbolic learning models of two cognitive tasks involving nonconscious acquisition of information are presented: learning production rules and artificial finite…

Outlines the structure of a weeklong workshop on creativity and intuition. The workshop was designed to provide counseling students with a basic understanding of the usefulness of creative and intuitive abilities. Using experiential exercises, group discussion, lectures, and individual presentations, students are provided with a theoretical and…

The relationship between quantitative problem solving and commonsense has provided the basis for an expanding exploration for Colleran and O'Donoghue. For example the authors (Colleran et al., 2002, 2001) discovered the pivotal role commonsense plays in adult quantitative problem solving and suggest commonsense is an important "resource? in…

Describes how children switch from intuitive to scientific methods of explanation of motion when the numerical conditions in the presented problem are changed. Investigates a case study where significant numbers of students appear to draw on different models of motion. Indicates that many students exhibit combinations of Aristotelian-like…

This article considers the value of collaborative forms of educational action research in higher education and the difficulties involved in implementing such forms of research. It is argued that educational action research represents an opportunity for improving teaching and learning and developing the knowledge and skills of those participating…

Described is a project which explored how elementary teachers' intuitive knowledge (the common sense sort of information built from personal experimentation on the physical environment in contrast to formal knowledge learned in school) affects their educational practices. (RM)

Although the Nobel Prize is associated with a rare, superior degree of intellectually creative achievement, high abilities of Nobel laureates are far from well explained. This paper argues that Nobel laureates' high abilities are determined in part by their extracognitive abilities, that is, specific feelings, preferences, beliefs and intuitive…

Early studies of intuitive judgment and decision making conducted with the late Amos Tversky are reviewed in the context of two related concepts: an analysis of accessibility, the ease with which thoughts come to mind; a distinction between effortless intuition and deliberate reasoning. Intuitive thoughts, like percepts, are highly accessible.…

Jean Louis Nicolet is a Swiss teacher of mathematics who found his subject so fascinating that he was puzzled as to why so many pupils could not share this enjoyment in their studies. He came to a conclusion which is now supported by the results of psychological research into the learning process: he suggested that the mind does not spontaneously…