Reviews the Clarifying Environments Program, the goal of which was to develop an empirically grounded theory of human higher-order problem solving. Four problem areas discussed are: communication and educational technology, analysis of human interaction and higher-order problem solving, applications, and heuristic-theory development. (RAO)

Two problems related to the mean-value theorem lead into a problem requiring the use of the universal chord theorem. This latter theorem is discussed and a proof given. (MP)

The longstanding educational problem of "translating theory into practice" is not a problem in the conventional sense of a question proposed for solution. Consideration of the problem's inverse, "translating practice into theory" serves to identify certain widely-shared assumptions about the nature and structure of the problem that render it…

Discusses the problem of institutionalizing dance, its effect and consequences, with Shirley Ririe, Co-Director with Joan Woodbury of the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company based in Salt Lake City. (Author/RK)

Today's high school principal must wear many hats in the course of a normal school day, including the all-too-often unfamiliar one of counselor. Provides some practical advice for the principal-counselor. (Editor/RK)

Examines guessing as a heuristic for problem-solving presented in a taped lesson by George Polya. Analogical models transformed a complex problem to a simpler one and maintained problem identification. Instructional explanations fulfilled two goals simultaneously: (1) teach students how to use guessing as a problem-solving strategy to solve the…

Investigated 4- to 6-year olds' creation and use of external representation strategies in problem solving. Found that direct training and increasing salience of task dimensions increased use of external representations. Four-year olds showed a utilization deficiency in external representation strategy use in the prompt conditions, but not in the…

In interviews, 8 novice and 10 experienced extension educators discussed problem situations. Results supported Schon's theory that reflective practitioners use constructivist problem solving, nonreflective practitioners an instrumentalist approach. Whether novices or experts, reflective practitioners develop expertise through reflection-in-action…

Presents results from Singaporean and Australian studies on the relationships between the cognitive variables and problem solving performance in three electrochemistry problems of different degrees of familiarity for comparisons. Concludes that idea association, problem translating skill, prior problem solving experience, specific knowledge, and…

Discusses a novel approach to word problems that involves linear relationships between variables. Argues that working stepwise through intermediates is the way our minds actually work and therefore this should be used in solving word problems. (JRH)

Conducted a study to determine what students can do with information presented in class about moles, molecules, atoms, gram atomic weight, Avogadro's number, and molar mass. Results indicate that the students had significant difficulty making effective use of the information about the number of atoms in a molecule provided by the subscript in a…

Presents a generalization to the classic prisoner problem, which is inherently interesting and has a solution within the reach of most high school mathematics students. Suggests the problem as a way to emphasize to students the final step in a problem-solver's tool kit, considering possible generalizations when a particular problem has been…

Examines a report, The Assessment of Performance in Design and Technology, that attempts to assess problem-solving abilities in the field of design. Describes pilot projects, an extended project, and some test projects. Summarizes a research project on identifying when and where design appears in the school curriculum and discusses developing…

Reviews "Upstream: Salmon and Society in the Pacific Northwest", a report produced by a committee of the National Research Council that offers a model of a new and better approach to addressing environmental problems that could enable science to serve the common good. Demonstrates a successful approach to doing science and contributing…

Describes an exploration involving parabolas that was prompted by a routine exercise undertaken in a graphing-calculator workshop with high school mathematics teachers. Appendices contain instructions for using the TI-85 SIMULT menu and matrices to solve the system. (JRH)