Communication skills and insights form an important basis for employability and participation in society. Universities aim to produce graduates with effective communication skills. Effective oral communication is critical for the advancement and sharing of scientific knowledge. There is increasing recognition within tertiary institutions of the…

In the natural world, learning emerges from the joy of play, experimentation, and inquiry as part of everyday life. However, this kind of informal learning is often difficult to integrate within structured educational curricula. This report describes an educational program that embeds naturalistic learning into formal high school, college, and…

Presents questions and answers to the 1985 British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) Competition. Comments about the competition (the second year of British participation) and the winners who went to Yugoslavia (and placed second behind the USSR) are included. (JN)

Presents six problems from an alternative approach to homework traditionally given to follow-up lectures. Stresses the advantage of longer term exercises which allow for creativity and independence on the part of the student. Problems include: "System Model,""Open-Loop Simulation,""PID Control,""Dahlin…

Applications of physics concepts related to the activities of dinosaurs are presented. Problems of mass, speed and motion, and sound are discussed. Solutions to the problems are shown. (CW)

Outlines various misconceptions about problem-solving (PS) and several strategies to improve intellectual skills and strategies. Also describes the Covington Productive Thinking Program (designed to help develop PS skills) and several lesson problem sets from this series of 15 books. (JN)

Discusses the difference between a generic chemistry problem (one which can be solved using an algorithm) and a harder chemistry problem (one for which there is no algorithm). Encourages teachers to help students recognize these categories of problems so they will be better able to find solutions. (TW)

Presents 15 energy-related physics problems, including a brief indication of the essential features for solving each problem. Problems reflect various energy-related situations and involve different areas of physics. (SK)

This report includes the framework, the experiences, the benefits, student attitude survey results, typical computer screen output, and BASIC program listings for PROBLEM, a general computer system for homework management in a time-sharing environment that can handle any exercise in which students must calculate numerical results from numerical…

Differentiates between problems, exercises and algorithms. Discusses the role of algorithms in solving problems and exercises in chemistry. Suggests that very real differences exist between solving problems and exercises, and that problem solving steps can be and should be taught in chemistry education. (TW)

Describes the practical workup of a multiple choice examination system in electrical engineering. Discusses some of the pedagogical advantages obtained by statistical handling of the data. Provides some examples of items. (TW)