Describes an educational program that asks students to attempt to prove that the earth is spherical and that it rotates. Presents tips to pique student interest and charts related to sensing the spin, nonrotation notions, flat earth fallacies, evidence that the earth is spherical and rotates, and the role of watersheds in proving that the earth…

Real-world problems often do not mesh well with mandated curricula and texts. Designing challenges to develop the understandings, skills, and beliefs necessary for tackling real-life problems involves a commitment to authentic learning experiences of increasing sophistication. The experiential learning cycle, by combining academic, scenario, and…

Surveys syllabi of MBA (Masters of Business Administration) communication courses around the United States. Finds that the "typical" MBA course focuses on skill development; integrates both speaking and writing, often with emphasis on speech; and builds problem solving and strategic communication skills through experiential learning.…

Describes an exercise for a business writing class which provides teams of students with a simulated encounter involving extended conflict with an adversarial business person, extending over several weeks, and requiring extensive problem solving and a range of business writing. (SR)

Describes a prewriting problem-solving plan intended to help students achieve effective organization and persuasion in writing business documents. Finds that business communication students felt the plan was beneficial, particularly for persuasive messages, individual writing, and small-group writing, and that many felt the plan was worth…

Presents a problem suggested for students in grades one through six concerning the concepts of grouping, reasoning, and pattern finding. Discusses the student problem-solving process. (ASK)

Describes a survey of 20 distinguished clinical medical teachers concerning episodes of instructional failure that subsequently led to improvement in teaching. Identifies eight common failure types associated with each phase of teaching (planning, teaching, reflection) and respondents' suggestions for improvement for each. Notes that the…

Reports on the use of the Internet and World Wide Web as a virtual technology market (VTM) for information and technology transfer. The project focuses on creating awareness of technology demand (problems) and linking it to technology supply (solutions) in the field of particle technology and multiphase processes in the chemical industry. Benefits…

Argues that, in the context of the present health care system, interdisciplinary service-learning holds promise for equipping future health professionals with collaborative problem-solving skills needed to effect change in community health care. Describes three models of interdisciplinary service-learning in health professions education, explores…

Describes Schools for Thought (SFT), a model developed at Vanderbilt University using three educational programs (Fostering Communities of Learners, Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environment, The Adventures of Jasper Woodbury) to promote literacy, attitudes toward school, and mathematical and scientific problem solving. Examines the…

Describes an interdisciplinary project encompassing English, history, public speaking, and mathematics that allows students to experience success with integrating mathematics into real world experiences. (DDR)

Summarizes points made by various commentators about the pitfalls of Web teaching. Critiques the integration of computer-assisted instruction into the larger curriculum, the quality of World Wide Web resources for teaching biochemistry, and the assessment of computer-assisted instructional components. (DDR)

A study of 10 public colleges in Alberta (Canada) examined the role of value judgments in presidential decision making. Data were drawn from surveys of 10 administrators and interviews with 4 concerning decision making in representative situations. Findings are presented concerning the types of decisions made, processes used in making them, and…

Employed the actor network theory to examine the transformation of a grade-four classroom community as new resources and practices became available. Found that the diffusion and enculturation metaphors are insufficient to model important aspects of learning in a student-centered classroom. (MOK)

This study investigated what effect divergent-thinking training focusing on a single task would have on the creative performance of 79 seventh graders on a closely related task. Students received training in poetry-relevant, divergent-thinking skills. The training was found to have a significant impact on the students' creativity in writing…