"Cognitive Tutor[R]", a full-year course, covers organizing single variable data, simplifying linear expressions, mathematical modeling, solving systems with linear equations, problem-solving using proportional reasoning, and powers and exponents. Students work at their own pace to develop problem-solving skills. The duration of each…

This mixed-methods study assessed the effects of Enhanced Anchored Instruction (EAI) on the math performance of adolescents with learning disabilities in math (MLD). A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design with switching replications was used to measure students' computation and problem-solving skills on EAI compared to control…

In this article we recount our experiences of teaching photosynthesis in an integrated way to secondary school students and teachers, science undergraduates and postgraduates. Conceptual questions were posed to investigate learners' fundamental understanding of simple light-dependent and light-independent processes taught to most students at…

Science centers can engage students; accommodate different learning styles and individual interests; help students become independent and confident learners; and encourage social skills among students. In this article, the author worked with third-grade students as they completed activities at learning centers during a week-long unit on simple…

In this article, we study a local adaptation of the Fifth Dimension [Cole, M. (1996). "Cultural psychology: A once and future discipline." Cambridge: Cambridge University Press] known as Las Redes (i.e., Networks of Collaboration in the Fifth Dimension) to examine how the multiple activity systems of Las Redes, e.g. the undergraduate course and…

This article reviews the assessment data, literature and research on gender differences in mathematics. The question of whether boys are better at mathematics has been an issue in education for the past 5 years. The assumption is that there is a biological difference between boys and girls that make boys predisposed to do better in mathematics.…

This manual presents instructional design strategies and sample student activities for creative problem solving. The ideas and suggestions are intended to support both students' mathematical attainment and their development of creative ability. The book begins with an introduction followed by discussions of unit design strategies and activity…

This theme journal issue is devoted to an exploration of peace and its history in Iowa. The features and activities include: Iowa's Peace Tradition; A Global View; World Map; A Mesquakie Tale; Swords into Plowshares; Make a Peace Crane; Student Protest; Goldfinch Patriotism Debate; Peace Meal; A Short Story; and Work It Out. (DB)

The lesson plans for gifted/talented students in grades 5 and 6 focus on logical thinking enrichment activities. Information on each activity is presented in terms of objectives, entry skills, teacher's approaches, student activities, resources, and followup/evaluation. Among activities described are completing analogies and determining analogous…

Brief mystery stories such as the three presented here can be used to help students develop critical reading and thinking skills, as well as to introduce the notion of indirect proof. (SD)

Students were given the problem: Given a deck of cards in a certain order, after how many shuffles will it return to its original order? They worked with small decks of cards to develop a general formula, but were unhappy with the results. (SD)

Games and puzzles in which a checkerboard can be used to develop mathematical concepts are described. (SD)

Providing teacher background on the concepts of wages and profits, paying particular attention to how elementary children experience and learn these concepts, this document presents 3 teaching units. The grade K-2 unit, "A Job Well Done," provides activities which focus on different types of jobs and the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards…

This monograph's purpose is to provide a basis for team development for quality circle groups involved in problem-solving and decision-making. Training group members in team building is a crucial factor for success in quality circles. The following are important needs for group members: a sense of belonging, a commitment to group goals, a sense of…

This research studied the effects of computer-presented organizational/memory aids on problem solving behavior. The aids were either matrix or verbal charts shown on the display screen next to the problem. The 104 college student subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions: type of chart (matrix or verbal chart) and use of charts…