The activities described in this report are focused on a preliminary investigation of the effects of presenting problems to children without any prior formal problem-solving instruction, on the children's ability to solve the problems, and on their subsequent problem-solving performances. The work was an outgrowth of activities related to the…

When the science of linguistics is treated as a variety of ways for searching for truth and theory, rather than as a body of established theories, it can be taught successfully in the early grades. Some of the generalizations in linguistics (e.g., the articulatory description of differences between significant sounds, of the classification of…

This study investigated whether instruction with or without simultaneous conversion to English measures is more effective in improving the ability of students to perform tasks in the metric system. Also investigated was the relationship of mathematical problem solving ability and sex to the ability of students to perform such tasks. Six seventh…

Effects of strategy instructions on the problem-solving performance of junior high school algebra students was investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment, three groups of students were instructed to solve algebra problems using a backward, forward, or mixed directon of search. The pattern of solution times and errors indicated that…

This volume contains abstracts of 33 research papers presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Most papers concerned instructional strategies; fourteen were concerned with sequencing of instruction and/or hierarchical analysis of learning. Four papers dealt with strategies for reviewing and…

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether or not the whole method or the part method of solving orthographic projection problems made any significant difference in student performance scores, and more specifically, to ascertain the relative effectiveness of these two approaches on seven criterion variables. The research design was…

This study explores the efficacy of two methods of teaching students, modeling and concept formation, to express warranted uncertainty in classroom discussions and in written work. The subjects were fifth graders from a lower middle class background who were divided into four groups: (1) a control group, (2) a group that observed a model express…

An introduction to the theory of algorithms reviews the theoretical issues of teaching algorithms, the logical and psychological problems of devising algorithms of identification, and the selection of efficient algorithms; and then relates all of these to the classroom teaching process. It also descirbes some major research on the effectiveness of…

Because economic geography is viewed as a field with too many different aspects for one person to master, teaching an introductory course in the subject poses the challenge of selecting an organizing theme. One specific approach, organized around higher level generalizations and theories, is the use of location theory. Coupling location theory…

A detailed analysis of 76 major heuristic strategies or processes is provided in this supplementary text to the course, Tools for Change. Each strategy is conceptualized as a pair of active verbs which represent alternative, although not necessarily opposite, approaches to problem-solving. Some examples are: a) commit-defer; b) record-recall; c)…

Reported are the results of an investigation of the effects of programing a computer in a seventh grade mathematics class. Two treatments were conducted during two successive years. The students in the treatment group used the programing language BASIC to write computer algorithms following supplemental instruction. The mathematical content was…

Students can learn to grapple with real political problems by doing policy analysis, studies designed to produce well-supported recommendations for action dealing with particular problems. Instead of asking what is being done about particular issues, they could ask what should be done. These questions could be examined in a systematic and analytic…

This unit studies enquiry as a type of educational goal and examines ways in which the teaching of enquiry is becoming a key emphasis in elementary and secondary schools. The unit's objectives focus on the definition and requirements for enquiry-focused instruction, a rationale for enquiry-focused instruction, the relations between ideas and…

Research on problem-solving, which has been conducted by experimental psychologists, is used to develop a working legal education program for helping law students learn to solve legal problems. (JT)