Reviews recent research on problem solving, summarizing differences between problem-solving styles of novices and experts. Also describes a text by Daniel Solow ("How to Read and Do Proofs"). Includes chapter titles for the text useful for students who wish to improve their understanding of mathematical reasoning. (JM)

Describes a summer program for prefreshman science students entering Xavier University, designed to develop their problem-solving and academic abilities by emphasizing the connection between reading comprehension and analytical skills. (MKM)

Provides a model of the rhetorical problem, based on the study of writing as a problem-solving cognitive process; describes three major differences between good and poor writers revealed by a protocol analysis study. (DD)

Investigates the abilities of 36 fifth graders and 30 ninth graders who were selected from 11 schools in Thailand to solve problems involving seven of Piaget's logical operations. These operations are classification, seriation, logical multiplication, compensation, proportional thinking, probability, and correlational thinking. (HM)

Compared and contrasted are the concepts intuition and logic. The ideas of conceptual thought and algorithmic thought are discussed in terms of the world as a labyrinth, intuition and time, and the structure of knowledge. (KR)

Discussed is the effectiveness of using analogies in chemistry instruction. Students' mathematics anxiety, spatial visualization skill, and proportional reasoning ability were found to be important aptitudes for determining chemistry achievement. The relationship between analogs and algorithms is described. (KR)

Discussion of the evaluation of courseware focuses on a study conducted to evaluate the Health and Fitness Assessment (HAFA) program, which was designed to elicit problem solving skills to assess health and fitness parameters and develop exercise prescriptions. Protocol analysis is described and the analysis of interpretive statements is…

Compares a program written both in BASIC and LOGO on its inferential and decision making ability. Explains steps in each program and how deductions and decisions are made. (MVL)

Discusses theory and research that explore the nature of cooperative problem solving and its relationship to learning and development. Offers teaching guidelines that early childhood educators can use to encourage children to interact. (BB)

Traces the history and function of State, Operator, And Result (SOAR), a general-purpose artificial intelligence program for solving problems. The SOAR can "chunk" the result of a subgoal and learn from previous experiences. The SOAR could be applied to various expert systems. (YP)

Discusses the first session and events from other sessions of a mathematics circle consisting of the author and four preschool children. Presents discussions that ensued with the children when asked to solve problems related to Piaget's stages of cognitive development. (MDH)

Six students (ages 12-14) with learning disabilities received either cognitive or metacognitive strategy instruction for mathematical problem solving, followed by instruction in the complementary component. Results indicated that cognitive and metacognitive strategies were more effective than either cognitive or metacognitive strategy instruction…

A survey study asked Australian experienced teachers during workshops to rate what they believed to be the most difficult aspects of mathematics in grades seven and eight. Problem solving, number sense, and rational numbers were rated as most difficult. The research question provided a catalyst for action in professional development programs. (MDH)

Mothers of children with developmental disabilities were reevaluated two years after participating in a life skills training program utilizing a cognitive behavior approach to reduce stress and depression and improve communication and problem-solving skills. Participants (n=153) reported lower stress, lower depression levels, and improved coping…

Examines didactic interventions and claims their impact on pupil behavior aids the study of cognitive processes. Studies problem solving in teaching mathematics. Examines the functions of tutorial interventions in surface features and instability of representation. Finds tutorial interventions demonstrate a substantial increase in performance…