In foundation biochemistry and biological chemistry courses, a major problem area that has been identified is students' lack of understanding of pH, acids, bases, and buffers and their inability to apply their knowledge in solving acid/base problems. The aim of this study was to explore students' conceptions of pH and their ability to solve…

The focus of this activities book is on using calculators to solve problems, as a way of promoting better comprehension in mathematics in the intermediate grades. Problems of various types are presented, ranging from those based on everyday life such as shopping, schedules, meal planning, and sports, to those involving imaginary ideas.…

A problem-solving program supplemented by calculators in one treatment group was conducted in 63 grade 7 classes with about 1350 students. Teachers were provided with problems correlated with textbooks, and instruction for teaching problem-solving strategies. School districts provided calculators and problem-solving materials. Pretest scores…

This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of a heuristic approach to problem-solving instruction. The 330 subjects were randomly assigned to either a Problem Solving, Calculator Problem Solving, or Control group. The two experimental groups studied problem-solving heuristics applied to nonroutine problems for 18 weeks, after which…

This report discusses some of the activities of the Iowa Problem-Solving Project (IPSP). The document has three main sections: (1) Materials Development, where IPSP teaching materials and test development are discussed; (2) Summative Evaluation of Materials, presenting the procedures, results, and findings of the 1978-79 evaluations; and (3)…

The message of this article is that there are many types of problems ordinarily requiring advanced techniques or special insight to solve which can now be done as simple programming exercises on inexpensive programmable calculators. Several examples appropriate for the secondary school curriculum are given. These are: (1) evaluating polynomials;…

Many problems and activities which can be worked with a calculator are contained in this booklet. The problems include: pattern recognition, combinations of operations, estimation, squares and square roots, rate problems, area, and volume. Chapter topics include: getting to know the calculator, single-step problems, using formulas, and…

The twenty-two essays on problem solving included in this publication give ideas and examples for use in the classroom at all levels of instruction. Topics discussed in the essays include but are not limited to: problem posing, clues from research, story problems, calculators, textbook problems, and measuring problem solving. Polya's heuristics as…

A problem from number theory is used to illustrate the use of the computer and programable calculators in solving problems. Programs are included. (MP)

Reviews the use of hand held calculators as an alternative to computer assisted instruction at the secondary level in chemistry classes. (SL)

Instructional techniques are given for the use of calculators in (1) finding prime numbers, (2) solving trigonometric equations, and (3) solving polynomial equations. (CP)

A variety of calculator activities is described for developing problem solving skills without getting involved in tedious computations. (JT)

Education has traditionally studied the world by bringing it into the classroom. This method can result in situated learning that appears to students to have no relevance outside the classroom. Students acquire inert, decontextualized knowledge that they cannot apply to real problems. The obvious solution to this shortcoming is to reverse the…

Each of the hand-held calculator logic systems found on the market today is introduced, along with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. The systems reviewed are: arithmetic logic, algebraic logic-no hierarchy, algebraic operating system, and reverse polish notation. (MP)

A collection of calculator activities designed for lower level mathematics students is presented. The calculator is viewed as a tool to provide unmotivated or unskilled pupils with the opportunity to explore mathematical ideas successfully. (MP)