Contribution: This paper provides evidence that computational creativity exercises (CCEs) can increase engineering students' learning in introductory computer science (CS1) courses. Its main contribution is its more rigorous treatment/control group research design that allows testing for causal influences of CCEs on student learning and…

Problem solving is lauded as beneficial, but students do not all learn well by solving problems. Using the resources framework, Tuminaro J., and Redish E. F., (2007), Elements of a cognitive model of physics problem solving: Epistemic games, "Physical Review Special Topics-Physics Education Research," 3(2), 020101 suggested that, for…

Skills associated with self-determination (e.g., self-regulation, problem solving, goal-setting, planning) are infused throughout all secondary content standards, including career and college readiness standards for which all students are responsible. Given research demonstrating the link between self-determination and positive school and…

Cognitive strategies are important tools for children with math difficulties (MD) in learning to solve word problems. The effectiveness of strategy training, however, depends on working memory capacity (WMC). Thus, children with MD but with relatively higher WMC are more likely to benefit from strategy training, whereas children with lower WMC may…

The problem-posing process represents one of the forms of authentic mathematical inquiry which, if suitably implemented in classroom activities, could move well beyond the limitations of word problems, at least as they are typically utilized. The two exploratory studies presented sought to investigate the impact of "problem-posing" activities when…

A problem-based learning (PBL) framework was utilized in a series of six interprofessional team seminars (IPTS) for postbaccalaureate students from seven health professions. The goal of IPTS was to develop a collaborative practice-ready workforce prepared to respond to patient care needs through use of concrete examples, skills development,…

This article explores the significance of creativity in our lives. It underlines the point that creativity gives satisfaction in our day by day living and in breakthroughs that change our lives. In a multitude of ways we cannot live without it. Synthesising instances of innovation in fields as diverse as medical research, haute cuisine, fragrance…

This column includes activities inspired by children's literature. Through two different stories, students are introduced to the process--including the frustrations--of designing something to solve a problem. The experiences of the books' characters are brought into the classroom by having students engage in an engineering and design process. The…

The mathematics education community values using student thinking to develop mathematical concepts, but the nuances of this practice are not clearly understood. The authors conceptualize an important group of instances in classroom lessons that occur at the intersection of student thinking, significant mathematics, and pedagogical…

The Approximate Number System (ANS) supports basic arithmetic computation in early childhood, but it is unclear whether the ANS also supports the more complex computations introduced later in formal education. "Solving for x" in addend-unknown problems is notoriously difficult for children, who often struggle with these types of problems…

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics expect students to build on their knowledge of the number system, expressions and equations, and functions throughout school mathematics. For example, students learn that they can add something to both sides of an equation and that doing so will not affect the equivalency; however, squaring both…

For efficiency in a linear algebra course the instructor may wish to avoid the undue arithmetical distractions of rational arithmetic. In this paper we explore how to write fraction-free problems of various types including elimination, matrix inverses, orthogonality, and the (non-normalizing) Gram-Schmidt process.

Many studies have attempted to describe the significant place of word problems at the intersection of mathematics, education and real world activity. In this essay the author suggests that the discussion of word problems needs to be reframed within a historical and dialectical conception of "mathematics," "the real world" and…

In an environment of rapid and unpredictable change determined and directed by technologies that are constantly changing, the assumption that being technologically literate is the key to being a sustained, contributing life-long learner is well founded. However, technological literacy is seldom referred to or considered in academic arguments as a…

Background: Problem posing, the generation of questions by learners, has been shown to be an effective instructional strategy for teaching-learning of complex materials in domains such as mathematics. In this paper, we demonstrate the potential of problem posing in two dimensions. Firstly, we present how problem posing can result in unfolding of…