Focuses on student capacity to develop and assess arguments during a high school genetics instructional sequence, and on the location distinction in argumentation discourse between "doing science" vs. "doing school" or "doing the lesson". (Contains 37 references.) (Author/YDS)

Uses a Web-based assessment environment to measure students' environmental awareness and data analyses skills as part of an evaluation of the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. Analysis of student responses who were identified as either high or low GLOBE implementers to the tasks revealed that the students…

Lists several problems that have proven to be successful in getting students to think about topics and notions they thought they knew. Indicates that students have not only solved the conundrums (often with help), but also developed them further into research projects. (Author/ASK)

Studies differences in boys' and girls' (N=158) mathematical problem-solving behavior in relation to two types of tasks, computations and applications. Differences were dependent on contents of tasks and gender. Girls rated themselves lower on confidence and attributed bad results more often to lack of capacity and to the task difficulty. No…

Presents an analysis of written solutions to geometry exercises in the last year of Greek Lyceum which showed relatively low performance on vector methods. Justifies pupils' false preconceptions with regard to the concept of vectors, and the strong influence of classical geometry teaching in the previous years. (Author/ASK)

Adopts an interpretive and situated approach to observe and assess learners' problem solving using hypermedia. Conducts the evaluation in context by considering the use of Perseus, a hypermedia research project and online digital library developed at Tufts University, in particular undergraduate learning situations, and makes recommendations for…

Introduces an organic chemistry course using the cooperative learning method and investigates this teaching method's effects on student learning with the participation of (n=16) super-qualified freshman who achieved a grade of 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examination. (YDS)

Nurses, dietitians, physicians, and a pharmacist (n=33) attended a patient teaching and problem-solving course emphasizing assessment, brainstorming, collaboration, and direct instruction skills. Analysis of videotaped patient teaching exercises revealed significant improvement in all four skills. Length of teaching sessions remained the same.…

Observations were made of eight 2-year-olds and eight 3 1/2-year-olds to explore the use of play assessment and its efficacy in determining cognitive levels. Children's play primarily consisted of Exploratory Play, Pretend Play, and Problem Solving Skills. Results indicated that Exploratory Play becomes more complex with age and is displayed more…

Describes an assignment in which students must integrate writing and negotiation skills with proposal development. Notes that many students have been able to share their problem-solving skills by implementing their proposal at their workplace. Notes students liked the opportunity to select a topic of interest to them. (SG)

Introduces the "Where are We?" software and lessons that are designed to help children in grades 2-4 learn to translate between the visually-perceived world that they sense around them, and the schematic representation of that landscape on a map. Evaluates the skills practiced in the software. (Contains 26 references.) (Author/YDS)

Examined a model of problematic adolescent behavior that expands current theories of social skill deficits in delinquent behavior to consider social skills and orientation toward the use of adaptive skills. Results from a sample of 113 male and female adolescents suggest that the usefulness of social skills theories of adolescent behavior can be…

Follows an earlier study of school students' abilities to draw inferences when comparing two data sets presented in graphical form. Results for individual student development add to the credibility of the cross-age observations as well as support the hierarchical framework suggested by the original study. Documents changes in levels of performance…

Presents research that incorporates constructivism with learning models in environmental education for the preparation and development of teachers. Involves (n=201) teacher trainees at the University of Granada in Spain. (YDS)

Examined the outcomes of academic support programs designed to enhance mathematical and scientific problem solving skills among African American pre-engineering college students. Interventions included weekly scientific reasoning and mathematical critical thinking and problem solving workshops, mentoring by upper-class students, and an interactive…