Using error analysis and individual interviews, the problem-solving actions of first and second graders were analyzed. Shortcomings of children's knowledge and solution strategies were seen to be overcome by instruction. A control group, with usual arithmetic instruction, and an experimental group were established and the hypothesized…

The processes and perceptions of pupils in the mathematical processing of proofs are examined in clinical interviews of secondary school pupils. Analysis of the data led to the identification of clusters of characteristic response types. (MP)

Determined if Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised subtest patterns would differentiate the performance of emotionally disturbed and learning-disabled children. Subtests differentiated significantly between diagnostic categories. Learning-disabled children performed predictively poorer on block design, picture arrangement, and object…

Described is science education's role in the back to the basics movement. Science education is described as providing opportunities for the development of (1) logical structures, (2) the understanding of the scientific processes, and (3) the development of creative problem solving techniques. (Author/DS)

Describes the types of mathematical games or puzzles that can be used in foreign language courses and dicusses the purposes they serve. Emphasizes their effectiveness as motivational learning stimuli and points out that they can be used either as instructional or reinforcement devices which force the student to "think" in the foreign language.…

Providing students with realistic problems will facilitate a better understanding of and reason for computation. Specific suggestions for introducing and for increasing problem-solving skills are described. (CJ)

Effects of the CoRT (Cognitive Research Trust) Thinking Project with slow learners in the United Kingdom is discussed. The aim of the project is to provide the framework which helps children arrive at a response to problems. (PHR)

An eight-phase model of processes involved in mathematics problem solving is presented. At each phase, results from factor-analytic studies are used to suggest abilities relevant and prerequisite for successful completion of the phase. Presentation of the model is followed by a discussion of implications for teaching and research. (Author/MK)

Describes characteristics of successful problem solvers and reports programs at all educational levels designed to help students improve their skills. (Author/MLF)

Describes a method for identifying how families organize and proceed through the problem-solving process. Method uses new behaviors as markers to identify the beginning and ends of qualitatively different periods of problem-solving interaction. Testing of 40 family groups revealed an orderly, rather than a random, sequencing of problem solving.…

Developed a heuristic strategy (SOLVED) to explain the processes involved in understanding and solving mathematical word problems (problem translation, problem interpretation, solution planning, solution execution, and solution monitoring) among upper elementary students. Results indicated that SOLVED was more effective in aiding both short-term…

College students (N=135) were presented with novel, ill-defined problems and asked to select concepts they thought would help solve the problems. The use of concepts organized around long-term goals was positively related to indices of solution quality and originality. (DB)

Reports on a 3-year study of patterns of student-student social interaction that mediated metacognitive activity in senior secondary school mathematics classrooms. Unsuccessful problem solving was characterized by students' poor metacognitive decisions exacerbated by lack of critical engagement with each other's thinking while successful outcomes…

Examines the types of comprehension problems that students experience in classrooms and the tactics they use to resolve those problems. Reports meaningful distinctions among classroom comprehension problems, and finds that the tactics used vary systematically in relation to the situation (class size and instructional format) and the type of…

Describes a program that has been conducted for two years by a group of educators at the University of Hamburg, West Germany, in which participants investigated the pedagogical use of the story. Illustrates the way in which story telling can be used to teach concepts at a high level of synthesis. (KO)