Before committing to the expense of consultancy, the college administrator needs to consider several basic questions: "what is the problem?" and "what is keeping the staff from solving the problem?" Certain kinds of problems are more likely than others to benefit from consultant expertise. (MSE)

Investigated was whether preservice teachers' success in solving division word problems was effected by the type of problem or by the common misconceptions related to primitive models of division. Preservice teachers' ways of thinking about division were also examined. Sample division problems, results, discussion, and implications are included.…

A sample of novel verbal problems which can be solved by using systems of linear equations with free variables is presented. The procedure of Gaussian elimination is used to solve the system. (KR)

This study examined the ability of 10 moderately to mildly mentally retarded children (mean age 117 months) to use contextual information and clarification requests to resolve referential ambiguity. The children were able to select the appropriate referent when the context was informative but not to request clarification when the context was…

Attempted to replicate findings of a previous study which found that mother-toddler interaction during problem solving was related to the child's prior attachment security. Examined the relationship between problem-solving interactions on the one hand, and mother-child interactions at home and infant temperament on the other. (PCB)

This fourth in a series of edited transcripts based on a conference at Utah State University compares Gagne's Conditions of Learning with Merrill's Component Display/Design Theory, and suggests a merging of the two. Topics discussed include content structures, learning hierarchies, learning theories, learner control, problem solving, cognitive…

Explores curriculum developers' differing opinions before they design a specific curriculum; the amount of convergence of opinion caused by curriculum deliberations; and the retention of that convergence. Finds that, despite frequent discrepancies of opinion before curriculum conferences on design issues, subsequent deliberations produced a high…

Based on the importance of "tasks" in teaching/learning, this article focuses on problem-solving tasks in a language classroom. Steps include focusing on a learning goal and topic; deciding on the problem and outcome; specifying the context of the problem; and splitting the information and assigning roles. (Contains eight references.) (LB)

Computer-based problem-solving software exposure was compared to Lego TC LOGO instruction. Thirty fifth graders received either Lego LOGO instruction, which couples Lego building block activities with LOGO computer programming, or instruction with various problem-solving computer programs. Although both groups showed significant progress, the Lego…

Five trends in technology education curriculum development require serious examination: (1) neglect of curriculum theory; (2) technical models of curriculum planning; (3) trivialization through pervasive systems models; (4) disparate goals and objectives; and (5) philosophical drift from grounding in experience to grounding in action. (SK)

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between students' procedural and declarative problem solving associated with one particularly important problem-solving skill, prediction. The results confirm that successful prediction problem solving involve an intricate network of relevant declarative knowledge that is manipulated and…

Lopez Island Middle and High School has integrated science and technology courses into an activity-oriented curriculum. Teaching the design process and systems approach demystifies technology and fosters critical thinking and problem solving. (SK)

Discusses research into problem-solving skills that have caused the theoretical methods of teaching and learning problem solving to evolve rapidly. Presents issues and questions that still need to be explored. (PR)

Examined research involving over 3,000 adolescents from various cultures to determine problems typical of this developmental phase and ways of coping with normative demands. Found that adolescents' response to problems stemming from different developmental fields such as parents, peers, school, or future involved three main modes of coping: Active…

Focuses on family coping with adolescent's diabetes. Reviews literature on interplay between family processes and psychological features of adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes. Examines how family may influence adjustment and metabolic control of diabetic child and considers impacts of adolescent's diabetes on individual parents and on…