Argues that the real problem in schools and in society as a whole is not the lack of imagination, but that excessive imagination is running wild. Considers how someone whose imagination is out of control can still be a "convergent" thinker, believing there is only one answer or solution to a dilemma or problem. (SG)

Provides an example of how HPT (human performance Technology) helped provide value in a community situation in Montreal. Describes a problem with graffiti that a neighborhood merchants association was having and explains how an HPT (human performance technology) professional suggested defining the reasons for the problem before solutions were…

Describes how a stock market simulation can be an excellent tool for motivating students to learn real-world mathematics in a middle school classroom. Details four activities that can accompany the simulation. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

Explores the real-life mathematics found in racing. Includes a worksheet. (YDS)

Describes the use of a purposefully designed set of problems borrowed from a variety of critical thinking activity books and selected to motivate, excite, and engage students in the learning process. Helps students develop a deeper, more conceptual understanding of mathematics by incorporating these problems into a beginning algebra course.…

The values of a polynomial with integer coefficients can be computed using a graphing calculator, but it is impossible to see the formula itself. Suggests finding this formula from numerical data and describes the unusual way to solve this problem with one calculation only. (Author/NB)

Concludes that writing about the executive processes of problem solving, difficulties encountered, alternative strategies that might have been used, and the problem solving process in general helped students in the treatment group learn to use executive processes more quickly and more effectively than students in the control group. (Author/NB)

Uses the spot problem to illustrate the importance of inductive and deductive reasoning and the connections among algebra, graph theory, geometry, and combinatorics. (Author/NB)

Discusses an algorithm from Vedic mathematics that has similarities to FOIL and the standard algorithm for multiplication. (Author/NB)

Students use the relationship between the speed of a ball and the time that a player has to react to it to understand uniform motion problems. Includes activity sheets. (Author/NB)

What initially appears to be a standard maximum-minimum problem presents, with a particular independent variable, a wealth of calculus and algebraic subplots. Uses graphing calculator technology to reinforce the "pencil and paper" solution and open the problem to lower level mathematics courses. (Author/NB)

Describes how 7th grade students were transitioned from using informal, conceptual methods to solving proportion problems using a formal procedure. (YDS)

Illustrates a way in which students can estimate the ratio of an area of a circle using the radius square. Discusses why the same value of pi appears in both the formulas for the circumference and the area of the circle. (YDS)

Provides a model for teachers to engage children in understanding problems and communicating their solutions in order to lead them toward becoming mathematically powerful learners. (Author/NB)

Presents solutions to the Pumpkin Puzzler problem that appeared in the October 2001 issue of this journal. (Author/NB)