Empirical and theoretical evidence is presented to support the conclusion that improvement of learning ability is an important and viable educational goal. The improvement of learning ability necessitates development not only of specific learning skills, but also an executive control mechanism that automatically accesses and combines learning…

This activity consists of two problem situations, each illustrating how a computer can be used as a tool to assist students in solving mathematical problems. In one, numerous calculations are performed by the computer; the second uses a Monte Carlo model to simulate a physical action. (MNS)

A comparison of three instructional methods (frontal lecture strategies, mastery learning strategies, and experiential mastery learning strategies) in a paramedical course showed that frontal lecture produced the highest scores on the lower mental process subtest while experiential mastery learning produced the highest scores on all measures of…

Discusses procedures used throughout history to solve fractional and decimal divisor problems. Early rules and definitions, approaches in mathematics and methods books, "new math" approaches, research findings, and recent textbook procedures are included. Concludes by presenting nine recommendations for teaching the operation. (DH)

Use of calculators for teaching percent to first-year general mathematics students is explained by addressing such areas as sequence of lessons, teaching/learning problems, calculator errors, and recommended instructional strategies. Teaching concepts independent of calculator usage, not using special percentage keys, and initiating estimation as…

Describes: (1) a computation-oriented problem with procedures and some questions that might be asked of students; (2) four ways to help students develop positive problem-solving attitudes; (3) a strategy game; (4) a multiplication problem; and (5) several questions that will help students develop problem-solving skills. (JN)

The need to provide understandable problems and ways to help children understand problems are explored. An interview with a sixth grader depicts his incorrect strategies and leads to suggestions for teaching problem solving using a range of mathematical models for each operation. (MNS)

Learning activities regarding the future that can help high school students develop problem-solving skills and foster in them a feeling of stimulation and challenge when confronting change are described. (RM)

Discusses use of simulation/role playing to help students understand unfamiliar, controversial situations and practice decision making in a nonthreatening context. Essential steps in simulation/role playing, four actual simulation/role playing situations, and their learning outcomes are described, and information sources for further information on…

Female education majors in a physical science course were given a set of tasks analogous to a given, solved prototype-task to investigate how transfer items were handled. Also used a conceptual model along with the solved prototype and a general procedure for applying the conceptual model to the transfer items. (Author/JN)

Describes various teaching strategies for journalism students, among them peer evaluation, interviewing exercises, question answering sessions, and syntactic structures. (HOD)

This paper presents part of an ongoing project on teacher's beliefs and practices in state schools and in privately owned exam preparation schools in Turkey. Extracts from an interview with a teacher who uses a technique that he disapproves of will be reported and discussed. The paper considers how the teacher reconciles his practices with his…

This report summarizes findings of current research supported by the Office of Special Education Programs on effective mathematics instruction for students with disabilities. The first brief article notes that most special education teachers do not have sufficient knowledge about the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and this…

The purpose of this paper is to share the strategies that children invented to solve problems involving division of fractions in the absence of algorithmic instruction. The data come from two sources, the first being a teaching experiment and the second being the regular classroom practice of this teacher/researcher. It was found that when the…

This paper will discuss some findings from a study investigating the development of the proving process in a dynamic geometry environment. Through a detailed analysis of students' processes when working with open geometry problems involving conjecturing and proving in Cabri, an analytical and explanatory framework has been developed. This paper…