Compares a teaching program designed to enhance schema acquisition with one of worked examples, traditionally used to teach geometry. Shows that both groups of subjects had improvements in the number of problems solved, with those exposed to non-goal-specific procedures demonstrating greater rates of improvement and greater efficacy in…

Illustrates how engagement in worthwhile mathematical tasks can provide rich opportunities for professional development. Presents different solution strategies for the effective tax rate problem. Emphasizes that, to help students recognize differences among the preceding arguments, teachers need to recognize reasoning based on part-whole…

Explores whether students with several years of high school science are able to represent an osmosis problem correctly. The study problem features a typical osmotic system with students expected to make a graph to show how the solution level in the stem of the funnel changes over time. (DDR)

Describes a model for counseling cancer patients that integrates the unique features of the cancer experience within a basic counseling framework. It combines a nine-step problem-solving approach with a biopsychosocial perspective, placing greater emphasis on the person than the problem. Utilizes innovative questioning techniques and strategies.…

Discusses ways to help students improve their problem-solving skills. Presents some mathematics problems to be used in classrooms. (ASK)

Researchers with the Parents and Schools Project funded by the European Union worked to find a strategy for the enhancement of home: school partnership. A problem-solving activity that was developed is described. This priority diamond exercise helps gather qualitative and quantitative data to promote dialog between schools and parents. (SLD)

Compared 18 children's and 18 adults' ability to detect information conveyed through the representational hand gestures of videotaped children verbally and gesturally explaining their problem-solving reasoning. Found that children and adults recalled information conveyed through representational gestures. Mismatching gesture negatively affected…

An instrument developed for measuring mathematical thinking was administered to high school students in Nebraska to determine the effects of class level and gender on mathematical thinking. Results showed significant differences in mathematical thinking due to class level in favor of higher class levels with the exception of grades 11 and 12. (PVD)

Explains Edward De Bono's six thinking hats, different perspectives on a problem. Shows how to apply the technique to case studies in management classes. (SK)

A study examined students' thinking processes when using database applications to solve an ill-structured business problem and compared six students using command language with six using menu selection computer interfaces. Students used a subgoal analysis method for problem solving. Command language group was more likely to skip relevant factors…

Notes that when composition instruction engages students in collaborative inquiry and problem solving, it engages students in rehearsing the active processes of writing arguments, and moves from teacher-led work to group work to independent production. Describes several classroom strategies and procedures that will enable them to be productive…

Adversarial approaches perpetuate disciplinary problems without solving them. Conferencing is a group conflict-resolution process that focuses on repairing relationships when offenders admit wrongdoing. When kids take responsibility for their bad behavior, they realize they can control their actions-the foundation for developing self-efficacy and…

A study found gifted middle schoolers (n=60) solved analogous problems better when presented in verbal form, but improved skills in both modalities once exposed to the solution of analogous problems in the visual-humorous modality. Average children (n=60) tended to solve cartoons better, but working with cartoons increased verbal problem-solving…

Outlines how one veteran high school teacher wrote up an everyday moral dilemma (obliquely involving drug trafficking) for his students to discuss and solve. Notes problem-solving steps and questions, and how the students worked their way to a solution through discussion. (SR)

This study with 432 college students examined how variables influence the relative performance of groups and individuals on creative problem-solving tasks. Having more ideas available (through a priming manipulation) led to better individual performance. Group performance, however, was enhanced by training appropriate to problem content that…