Defined here are those considerations which underlie the formation of staff development patterns weaving them into a theoretical, philosophical, and practical whole. (Author)

The imparting of knowledge should be approached from the standpoint of equipping students with the skills that will enable them to achieve personal significance in their lives. (CK)

Assessed the effects of a problem-solving skills training program on sex-role identity. Hypothesized that couples (N=26) in a problem-solving skills training program would show greater movement toward androgyny relative to a control group. Results indicated that the experimental group was significantly higher on femininity following treatment.…

Compared the effects of two types of instruction to investigate how proficiency in generating alternatives in marital problem solving can be improved, using a sample of 44 Canadian couples. Results showed increased generation of alternatives. Communication skills training did not enhance creativity in problem solving. (Author/JAC)

Summarizes the work of "information processing" psychologists who study cognition and contends that intelligence consists of a set of developed thinking and learning skills that can, to some degree, be taught. Nine such skills are listed including problem identification and strategy selection. (Author/MLF)

Research in cognitive science is providing an increasingly detailed understanding of human cognition. Teachers can help students become conscious of their own reasoning processes and then learn to compare, contrast, interrelate, or coordinate various ways in which they think in order to refine their problem-solving methods. (Author/MLF)

Explores the association between sex roles and relationship adjustment and communication skills. Baucom's sex role inventory was administered to couples who reported on relationship satisfaction and engaged in problem solving. Results suggest that clinical interests might be better served by studies less focused on validating Bem's model of…

Examined use of decision worksheets in training college students (n=42) to employ better decision-making strategies related to alcohol. Multivariate analyses indicated that experimental subjects had higher mean scores than control subjects on measures of "overall goodness," intensity, and inclusion of elements of feasibility, costs, and benefits.…

Describes how to use Jean Fritz's book "George Washington's Breakfast" to teach the Big6 process of information problem solving to first graders. Six modified terms used in teaching the lesson with the first-grade classes are: task=what, strategy=how, locate=where, use=look, synthesis=show, and evaluation=well.(LRW)

The California Mathematics Standards are cynical, mind-numbing, and shallow. Instead of balancing problem solving, concept development, and skill acquisition, the standards are full of obsolete mathematics and devoid of problem solving. Students offering only an algorithm when asked for meaning have style without substance. Blind memorization is…

Examines the difficulties experienced by diabetic patients in learning about their illness. Diabetic people (N=138) were questioned by means of a closed answer questionnaire. Results reveal that patients easily acquired manual skills, yet numerous learning difficulties were associated with the skills required to solve problems and make decisions,…

In the new economy, knowledge (not labor, raw material, or capital) is the key resource to be converted to goods and services. Public schools will have to educate three tiers of knowledge workers (doers, problem solvers, and designers) using differentiated assessment, curricula, and instruction. Organizational action, not mantras, is needed. (MLH)

Nurses, dietitians, physicians, and a pharmacist (n=33) attended a patient teaching and problem-solving course emphasizing assessment, brainstorming, collaboration, and direct instruction skills. Analysis of videotaped patient teaching exercises revealed significant improvement in all four skills. Length of teaching sessions remained the same.…

In this article, the authors discuss how children learn to problem solve from birth to 6 years. At 0 to 2 years, children learn to be very effective problem solvers by encouraging children's explorations and supporting their efforts to resolve difficulties. When they reach 3 years old, children enjoy experimenting with a wide variety of materials,…

Gaining expertise in leadership requires time, commitment, an adequate knowledge base, and a working plan for learning and growth. Without a plan for learning, only tacit or "how-to" expertise is developed. Leaders often know how to solve the problems facing them, but they fail to analyze and act on the underlying causes. This results in…