Anchored instruction calls for the establishment of a macrocontext to "anchor" instruction within a realistic situation. Evidence is provided that video anchors encourage students to adopt certain contrived goals over their more naturalistic goals. Suggests that goals that enable the problem solver to detect the "raison d'etre"…

Documented strategies preschool children used in completing complex, multipiece puzzles, which included focus on color, design, or shape. Found that all children could benefit and enjoy working on larger puzzles in the classroom and that the activity encouraged social literacy, completing a long-term project, scaffolding, and child development.…

Studied orienting and self-judging as study and problem-solving activities with 47 college freshmen and two control groups of 47 each. Results show that the intervention group, taught these learning tools, had more knowledge about orienting and self-judging and used these skills better. Both metaknowledge and transfer behavior were positively…

Describes the assessment of students' problem-solving skills through the use of short case scenarios about which students are asked to make essential decisions. Discusses strategies for selecting essential decisions, writing cases carefully, and selecting appropriate question formats. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/WRM)

Eight school-aged boys with learning disabilities (LD) with a discrepancy between verbal and performance IQ and with more language difficulties were less successful on a mother/child problem-solving task. Their mothers exhibited lower communication clarity in their instructions to the children than the mothers of the eight boys with LD who did not…

Examines how the Dallas Independent School District (Texas) has been successful in passing new bond issues for school construction and renovation. The school district's strategic methodology is discussed, as are its management tactics in meeting diverse student needs, school safety, and student overcrowding. (GR)

This article describes the Effective Academic and Behavioral Intervention and Supports (EABIS) program, a comprehensive inservice professional development program that provides direct support to schools as they engage in a team-based problem solving process of self-evaluation, implementation of systems change, and selection of prevention-based…

This article presents specific instructional approaches and examples to develop the algebraic reasoning skills of middle and secondary students with mild disabilities. Discussion of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards identifies general principles, content standards, and process standards. Discussion of effective instruction…

Multiple, daily decisions about a myriad of things add to people's sense of stress, complexity, and being stretched too thin, but especially for parents of young children. This article points out the need to offer parents quality options, not simply more options, and advice and support in following through on the decisions they make affecting…

States that the combination of analogous problem-solving ability and phonological awareness, in the absence of extensive reading experience, may be necessary for successfully using orthographic analogies. Seventy children of limited reading experience and ability were assessed on phonemic awareness and the ability to make visual and orthographic…

Discussion of the triarchic theory of intelligence focuses on a study of ninth graders that explored the relationships between student abilities and the cognitive and attitudinal outcomes that resulted from student immersion in a computer-based inquiry environment. Examines outcome variables related to content understanding, problem solving, and…

Reports on the evaluation of a three-year curriculum initiative introducing technology education through a learner-centered, problem solving and collaborative approach. Draws attention to the critical impact the project had on the pedagogy of teachers. (DDR)

Touts using the schoolyard for teaching mathematics. Mathematics is a way of describing the world and its patterns; schoolyards are especially suited to concept application and problem solving. Mathematics in a natural setting also allows students and teachers to meet learning objectives in more than one subject area. Includes math activities for…

Reviews psychological research on learning by doing, noting the role that learning-by-doing can play in education and training. Discusses how one University of Pittsburgh professor/researcher and his colleagues and students implemented this approach and describes lessons learned from the experience, explaining how improved forms of…

Details the results of a survey on the most important instructional strategies that enhance learning and employ the vehicle of environmental education. Discusses constructivism, cooperative learning, and problem solving. (DDR)