Uses the constructivist principle of active learning to explore the possibly essential elements in transforming a cognitive play activity into mathematical activity. Suggests that for such transformation to occur, cognitive play activity must involve operations of intelligence that, yield situations of mathematical schemes. Illustrates the…

Comments on the Fractions Project presented in this same issue. Discusses two major ideas: the construction of mathematics of children and its basis and playful actions as a basis for mathematical actions. Highlights the understanding of children's mathematical concepts and schemes as they grow and are organized in the context of computer…

Comments on the Fraction Project presented in this same issue. Examines the choice of appropriate perspectives on the phenomena induced and observed and the generalizability of the results. Investigates the phenomena as involving student attunement to constraints built into the computer-based learning environments and in terms of explicit…

Comments on the Fraction Project presented in this same issue. Suggests that it has uncovered many implications for instruction. However, there are limitations as the proposed setting is restricted by the present school circumstances. Concludes that better learning will not come from finding better ways for teachers to instruct but from giving the…

Describes a study conducted with a seventh-grade Future Problem Solving (FTS) class in which students work in teams of four to solve problems related to futuristic issues. As a result of increased competitiveness and poor emotional climate in the class, activities designed to promote a more congenial, less competitive classroom atmosphere were…

Icelandic teachers discussed perceived changes in their work and students' social interactions during a program to foster students' social competence. The program emphasized classroom discussion on interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution to promote social growth. Teachers believed they gained confidence in handling interpersonal…

It is argued that, although Canadian universities face serious problems of money, morale, and purpose, their main problem may be that they are ill-equipped for constructive, institutionwide problem solving because of a preoccupation with finances, lack of useful decision-making or decision-implementing structures, and neglect of their own…

Discussion of differences in elementary and secondary school mathematics instruction between the United States and The Netherlands focuses on a Dutch project brought to the United States that uses print materials and software products. Topics addressed include integrating technology into the curriculum; cultural differences; designing assessment;…

Instructional strategies are presented that illustrate ways of developing students' understanding of nonnumerical notation that are compatible with a constructivist stance. The concepts of using letters to represent a range of values and those used to represent unknowns are discussed. (KR)

This study compared the problem-solving skills of 73 children (ages 6-14) with mild mental retardation, who exhibited either adjusted classroom behavior or impulsive or inhibited behavior. Irrespective of age or intelligence quotient, adjusted children had a larger number of relevant solutions to problems and a higher ratio of aggressive…

Presents results of an experiment enabling students to develop their own cognitive and metacognitive strategies to promote autonomous learning in mathematical problem solving, knowledge acquisition, and written composition. Explains that students dealt with models of teachers' and classmates' cognitive performances and monitored their own…

Discusses factors that might influence the effectiveness of computer software designed to teach problem solving. Topics discussed include the structure of knowledge; transfer of training; computers and problem solving instruction; human-computer interactions; and types of software, including drill and practice programs, tutorials, instructional…

Describes a study of state employees that was conducted to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the use of teleconferencing to increase creativity among workers. A model of creativity is explained, the pretest/posttest used to assess teleconferencing effectiveness is presented, and implications for teleconferencing are discussed. (eight…

Over a 10-month period, normal children showed an increased reliance on memory retrieval and a decreased reliance on counting when they solved addition problems. There was an increase in speed of counting and of retrieving addition facts from long-term memory. Children with a mathematical learning disability showed no change in problem-solving…

Identifies concepts and findings in cognitive psychology and cooperative learning relevant to teaching and learning higher cognitive skills. Derives implications from research to use as criteria for evaluating history and social science instruction programs. Critiques three models for teaching intellectual skills in the social studies curriculum.…