Describes one student's learning pathway as a sequence of several metastable conceptions of the atom starting from a planetary model. Displays the final cognitive element as an association of three parallel conceptions. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Focuses on many alternative conceptions and nonconceptions about material related to equilibrium and thermodynamics. Uses interviews and compares the concepts from these with those expressed by experts in textbooks. (DDR)

Studies on resilient youth have yielded some intriguing patterns. This article surveys the findings and discusses how professionals can benefit from lessons offered by the findings. (Author/MKA)

Uses digraphing as methodology to synthesize students' conceptions of natural phenomena in order to identify the structural characteristics of their conceptions. Contains 41 references. (DDR)

Focuses on changes in attitude toward mathematics and calculator use and changes in how general mathematics students naturalistically solve algebraic problems. Uses a survey to determine whether a student is rule-based. Concludes that the rule-based students used an equation to solve the algebraic word problem whereas the non-rule-based students…

Examines tactics undergraduate students use for avoiding and cutting arguments short. Finds that the episodes that were cut short were also the ones highest in explicitness and destructiveness. Suggests that cutting short, rather than avoidance, is the preferred solution to explicit, destructive conflicts. (CR)

The California Mathematics Standards are cynical, mind-numbing, and shallow. Instead of balancing problem solving, concept development, and skill acquisition, the standards are full of obsolete mathematics and devoid of problem solving. Students offering only an algorithm when asked for meaning have style without substance. Blind memorization is…

Studies the effects of a course encouraging cooperative problem solving and reflection on thinking activities on students' attitudes. Reports that a majority declared negative attitudes but during the problem-solving course, the changes were almost all in the desired direction. Contains 18 references. (Author/ASK)

Discusses the use of multimedia in large-scale computer-based testing programs to measure problem solving and related cognitive constructs more effectively. Considers the incorporation of dynamic stimuli such as audio, video, and animation, and gives examples in history, physical education, and the sciences. (Author/LRW)

Outlines how a group of primary teachers developed a range of design briefs using textiles, and describes how students were taught explicit skills which enabled them to successfully solve the design tasks. (WRM)

Shares a problem-solving activity in which the aim is to find out how fifth-grade students would approach a nontraditional problem in which several conditions had to be met. Asks teachers to consider student observations in their teaching. (ASK)

Presents activities that allow primary grade students to develop specific thinking strategies for basic facts such as counting on, using doubles, and making 10 in problem-solving settings. Discusses other topics such as probability, spatial sense, and money. Offers rich opportunities for reasoning and communication. (ASK)

Describes an elementary school project--a "leprechaun trap"--that included elements of technology, science, language arts, and problem solving. Discusses how technology education is helping the Taos Pueblo community build bridges between its past and modern technologies. (JOW)

Addresses the role of children's museums, recounting both positive experiences of meaningful interactions and negative encounters in which such interactions were discouraged or were too cursory. Suggestions for scaffolding children's discovery and problem-solving learning with children's museum activities are offered. (DB)

In this study, 16 sighted persons were given linearization tasks to complete with either another sighted person or a person with visual impairments. Pairs with participants with visual impairments talked significantly more than did sighted participants, had more problems with turn-taking, and needed more time to perform the tasks. (Contains…