Thirty-eight sixth graders were trained in fraction calculation through progressive transformation dialectics (PT) whereas a control group of 38 was taught through a traditional mathematics education framework. The PT group, encouraged to form network-type knowledge representations, performed better on problems that required more than mere…

Discusses the SAGE project, a Biology II project in which students analyze a specific disease by utilizing Internet resources. Poses seven problems for students and includes solutions. (ASK)

Offers two problem-solving ideas for hands-on pattern-block activities. A primary level activity introduces area and gives students experience with a problem that has multiple solutions. An intermediate level activity provides first-hand experience with similar shapes. (SM)

This study examined effects of a schema-based direct instruction strategy on the word problem-solving performance of three third- and fourth-grade students with learning disabilities. The intervention was successful in increasing the percentage of correct solutions to word problems for all three students. Maintenance was seen two to three weeks…

Describes a problem-based human biology course for undergraduate nonscience majors. Discusses the nature of problem-based learning, effectiveness of problem-based learning in a nonmajors' science course, course development, and implications. Contains 14 references. (JRH)

Describes a course that uses current environmental quandaries to teach students how to think, analyze, research, question, argue, evaluate, write, and solve problems. Develops skills required for active, project-oriented learning and covers principles of critical thinking and rudimentary risk literacy. (JRH)

Asked eight adults to instruct third- and fourth-graders individually in a math problem. Found that the adults offered more variable instruction to children who produced gesture-speech mismatches than to children with no mismatches--more types of instructional strategies and more instructions that contained two different strategies, one in speech…

Uses the notion of focusing phenomena to explain how a teacher's actions were connected to her students' interpretations of a linear equation. Conducts interviews and analyzes a high-school classroom that emphasized dependency relationships in real-world situations. Describes how the teacher directed attention away from functional relationships…

Presents a project that addresses several components of the Algebra and Communication Standards for Grades 9-12 presented in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000). Describes doing mathematical modeling and using the language of mathematics to express a recursive relationship in the perimeter and area of the Koch snowflake.…

Explores the use of simulations as a teaching method for gifted students. Identifies positive effects of simulations and distinguishes different types. Notes disadvantages related to time, money, and experience as are unique features of the teacher's role in this approach to instruction. Lists guidelines for choosing a model and deciding on a…

This paper advocates a philosophy of science teaching that embraces intellectual conflict, suggesting that it is important to engage students in productive intellectual conflict in order to teach for conceptual change. Presents two approaches that could actualize the philosophy of "teaching the conflicts" within science instruction. (SM)

Presents activities designed to introduce a mathematical idea having several applications for determining the optimal location for a radio station's transmitter and the best locations for a fire station. Includes student worksheets and solutions. (KHR)

Presents a geometric problem and illustrates four different ways to solve it: (1) a synthetic approach; (2) a coordinate approach; (3) a vector approach; and (4) a transformation approach. (KHR)

Investigates the relationship between traditional physics textbook problem solving and conceptual understanding. Reports that students had many of the well-known conceptual difficulties with basic mechanics and that there was little correlation between the number of problems solved and conceptual understanding. (Contains 21 references.)…

Presents some ideas about how teachers can foster mathematical communication by encouraging students to find multiple solutions to problems. Discusses three problems that help develop communication ability in mathematics. Views communication of multiple solutions as an instructional strategy to help students make sense of mathematics. (KHR)