Discusses the integration of decision-making exercises into biology courses. (MKR)

Discusses a framework for identifying organizational processes or models within the context of the organization's decision-making processes. Five organizational models appropriate to academic libraries are presented: rational, political bargaining, garbage can, bureaucratic, and participatory. Guidelines for managers include how to distinguish…

Distinguishes two types of learning processes: (1) learning from regularity--a linear model of problem, process, and product; and (2) learning from irregularity--adaptation to changing circumstances. Argues that these approaches lack an ethical or political dimension and advocates learning from responsibility or social commitment. (SK)

Steps in an integrated model include (1) problem solving (exploration, assessment, goal setting, planning, implementation, evaluation); (2) community building (entering, discovering, developing relationships, building an organization, enhancing capacity, phasing out, exiting); and (3) systems interaction (change agent system, client system, action…

Examines whether problem-solving appraisal plays a role in recovery from depression in a university population (N=66). Results were consistent with the hypothesis that self-appraised effective problem solvers would be more likely to recover from a depressive episode than self-appraised ineffective problem solvers. (Contains 29 references.)…

Explores whether students with several years of high school science are able to represent an osmosis problem correctly. The study problem features a typical osmotic system with students expected to make a graph to show how the solution level in the stem of the funnel changes over time. (DDR)

Presents an activity that highlights the mechanism and power of natural selection. Allows students to think in terms of modeling a biological process and instills an appreciation for a mathematical approach to biological problems. (JRH)

This article addresses issues in model building and statistical inference in the context of student modeling. The use of probability-based reasoning to explicate hypothesized and empirical relationships and to structure inference in the context of proportional reasoning tasks is discussed. Ideas are illustrated with an example concerning…

Suggests that a practical model for dialogue and decisionmaking in ethics needs to be developed, which is intended for widespread use within organizations and communities. Outlines objectives of an effective model, and basic questions that it must respond to. Discusses piloting the model, as well as facilitation of dialogue, development of…

Argues that the information-processing paradigm can both revitalize so-called strong-effects theories in mass media research and make them more inclusive. Discusses how the four previous studies in this issue show the use of simple solutions to problems that have plagued mass-media-effects research and call out for further inclusion of discussions…

In this paper we describe an ontological and semiotic model for mathematical knowledge, using elementary combinatorics as an example. We then apply this model to analyze the solving process of some combinatorial problems by students with high mathematical training, and show its utility in providing a semiotic explanation for the difficulty of…

Higher education is facing world-wide a number of problems such as: adjusting to larger and more homogeneous student populations, increasing the number of graduating students, and preparing them for lifelong learning. Enhancing students' learning proficiency can make a substantial contribution to solving each of these major concerns. Taking the…

This study used a grounded theory case study to identify the theoretical areas that account for the nature and success of Royal Roads University's (RRU) learning community model. This instructional model enables RRU's mission to serve adult learners who want to further their careers through education while living and working across British…

There is evidence that spontaneous learning leads to relational understanding and high positive affect. To study spontaneous abstracting, a model was constructed by combining the RBC model of abstraction with Krutetskii's mental activities. Using video-stimulated interviews, the model was then used to analyze the behavior of two Year 8 students…

We tested human performance on the Euclidean Traveling Salesman Problem using problems with 6-50 cities. Results confirmed our earlier findings that: (a) the time of solving a problem is proportional to the number of cities, and (b) the solution error grows very slowly with the number of cities. We formulated a new version of a pyramid model. The…