In peer-helping programs, a professional counselor or teacher trains a group of students who then help other students by listening, providing information, and referring them to others with the necessary expertise. Peer helpers can help improve the school climate by contributing to its health and security. Since 1979, Seattle's Natural Helpers…

Presents a survival expert's model of survival. Characterizes survival in terms of being prepared for a crisis, escaping the immediate threat, avoiding disorientation and fear, and the survival routine, which includes hope, flexibility, and humor. Notes the impact of posttrauma situations and the need for continued vigilance. (RJM)

When permitted, children frequently devise approaches to solving problems that are distinct from those typically used by adults. Presents examples of children's thinking from Project IMPACT which illustrate the crucial interplay between a teacher's instructional decisions and children's thinking while confronting mathematical misconceptions.…

Monitored preschoolers' television viewing, then assessed rule use in videotaped and real balance-scale problems. Found older children used more advanced rules than younger children. When viewed first, videotaped version resulted in less advanced rules than real version. Video rule use was predicted by 5-year olds' cartoon viewing and correlated…

Reviews two publications coauthored by David N. Perkins. "Teaching Thinking: Issues and Approaches" deals with developing a framework for nurturing forms of thinking that foster learning, understanding, and critical and creative thought. "Are Cognitive Skills Context-Bound?" traces the 30-year evolution of this topic. (JRH)

Presents examples of direct modeling and invented strategies of students for problem solving. Teachers are encouraged to capitalize on children's abilities to use these invented strategies and in time guide the student toward a standard, more efficient strategy. (AIM)

Discusses strategic and tactical planning with regard to implementing technologies in libraries. Strategic planning involves setting parameters for decision making, while tactical planning entails devising ways of dealing with problems created by the new technology. The benefits and dilemmas of both types of planning are covered. Contains 19…

Describes two experiments that investigate how "buggy algorithms" in multi-digit subtraction are used. The first experiment tested third grade students (N=110) and repeated the test two years later. The second experiment tested students in grades 3-6 (N=301). Contains 21 references. (DDR)

Reprints three items that appeared in the media that were developed into mathematical problems. Items include a commentary called Junk the Penny, a sale advertisement for a department store, and a sports column with statistics. Eighteen questions are provided along with answers. A graphing calculator is suggested for some problems. (PVD)

A project is described where the ultimate goal is to teach students methods of problem solving through an industrial engineering environment. Students practice sharing responsibility, understanding group dynamics, using resources efficiently, meeting deadlines, using mathematics in oral and written form, and applying the appropriate mathematics.…

Explores the differences of problem-solving procedures and thinking structures between science and nonscience Chinese graduate students. Discusses differences in designing experiments, exploring new questions, planning, assumptions, and validity. Concludes that the reasoner's epistemology or academic experiences might strongly influence these…

Reviews the book "Medical Problem Solving: An Analysis of Clinical Reasoning," a seminal book whose conclusions on problem solving in medical fields are still valid today. Discusses major problem-solving findings of this book, the application of the findings to education, and relating knowledge to problem-solving skills. (JRH)

Debunks five misconceptions about improving creative thinking. To encourage students to think creatively, instructional techniques should reflect an integrated set of mental skills, use materials mimicking real-life situations, consider students' beliefs and tendencies toward creative thinking, show metacognitive sensibility, and foster a creative…

Workplace learning is goal-directed activity shaped by the context and needs of a particular community of practice. Learning in the workplace includes close guidance by experts and distant guidance from other workers and the physical environment. The activities and the guidance are key components of the workplace learning curriculum. (SK)

Presents a problem of triangular tiles that involves counting and probability. Includes instructor guiding questions. (KHR)