Discusses the benefits and possible side effects of learning mathematics through routine exercises. Suggests some teaching strategies including different exercises, different symbols, making examples, and counterexamples. (YP)

Given are several examples of seemingly unrelated problems that nevertheless can be solved with a single mathematical idea--the proportion. It is hoped that as students see how a variety of problem contexts can be modeled by a proportion, they will use proportions more frequently in problem solving. (MNS)

To help future graduates cope with a twenty-first century era dominated by computers, worldwide communication, and a global economy, mathematics teachers must change their curricula, teaching methods, and assessment techniques. Students must learn to value mathematics, reason and communicate mathematically, solve problems, and develop confidence.…

Asserts that the sudden insights that characterize intuitive thinking are as important in effectuating learning as analytical thinking. Claims that intuitive thinking enables students to comprehend complex relationships better, to put things into better perspective, to generate new ideas, and to perceive more ways to integrate facts, concepts, and…

An instrumental technique is presented to help students create a symbolic representation that may aid the process of choosing an appropriate operation to solve a problem. Current research and practice are discussed; then the part-part-whole model is presented. (MNS)

Topics from graph theory are introduced at an informal level and thereby made accessible to the majority of secondary school students. Three worksheets are included. (MNS)

Questions are raised about the effectiveness of the traditional lecture method in meeting the objectives of optometric education, and the use of problem-based learning as an alternative approach is examined. (MSE)

A specially designed patient assessment diagram is proposed as a means of helping optometric student clinicians develop integrative skills in the assessment and management of the patient's problem. A pilot study found students supportive of its use. (MSE)

A group of outstanding science teachers agreed that student motivation and interest soar when real-life issues are used as themes for study. Illustrates how the interdisciplinary approach works with the issue of smoking. (MLF)

Pullout pages provide suggestions for teaching elementary students at all levels about the wonders of human ingenuity. The suggestions help students see that great ideas come from the need to solve real-life problems and that one great idea leads to another, so current inventions help predict future inventions. (SM)

This article reviews common curricular alternatives for addressing the science education needs of secondary students with learning disabilities. A curriculum revision method emphasizing models and context-rich problem solving is proposed as an alternative to the traditional uses of direct instruction, mnemonics, graphic organizers, and study…

Compared the sensitivity and teaching strategies of white, middle-class dysphoric and nondysphoric women working with unfamiliar five- and six-year olds during classification tasks and unstructured activities. Found that nondysphoric women were more sensitive to children's level of understanding than dysphoric women and were more likely to use a…

Describes the activities of the kNights of Physics, a group of preservice teachers, whose goal is to spread the knowledge of the fun of physics to elementary students and their parents. (JRH)

Evaluates the results of an experiment with comprehensive project-organized and problem-based engineering education at Aalborg University that has lasted for 20 years. Several independent evaluations show that the graduates are more readily adaptable, with strong qualities in the field of problem-solving, cooperation, communication, and…

Stresses the importance of teaching physics concepts over having students work on word problems. (MVL)