The effects of temperature and pressure on the collapsing of soda cans are discussed. The use of various temperatures and substances for the cooling bath are described. (KR)

Presents a five-part strategy (useful for all forms of business communication) which helps students solve problems successfully and steer logically through the communication demands of any situation. (SR)

Describes the problem-solving behaviors of six novice subjects attempting to solve an electrostatics problem in calculus-based college physics. The level of qualitative thinking exhibited by these novices was determined. Sound procedural knowledge and problem representation were suggested as an integral part of skilled problem solving in physics.…

Explains flexible cognition theory and the use of hypertext to encourage multiple representations. Describes a prototypical hypertext/multimedia computer program using flexible cognition to help learners apply principles, interpret relationships, state inferences, test hypotheses, and formulate conclusions. (SK)

Presents suggestions on how to incorporate elementary student decision making into classroom routine. The article recommends teachers be models, provide food for thought, focus on student strengths, introduce decision-making processes, and provide practice. Seven steps to making good decisions and activities to develop decision-making skills are…

Considered is the open-ended question of the various means of marking an n-inch ruler so that the distance of any integral number of inches from 1 to n can be ascertained with a single measurement. The relationship between a sparsely marked ruler, which is one gracefully marked with the fewest number of marks, and specific discrete graphs is…

This unit is designed to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills by allowing students to assume the roles of 1992 Winter Olympic Games planners who make preparations for the event. A reproducible data sheet serves as a resource. Hands-on activities and a critical television viewing activity are included. (IAH)

Examined effects of stress on depression in female commuter college students (n=106). Results indicate that problem-solving confidence was important moderating variable and suggest that perception of long-term stress directly affects current depression level. Positive long-term experiences seemed to moderate subsequent negative experiences that…

Develops a contingency model for managing a variety of corporate crises. Views crisis management as an information-processing situation and organizations that must cope with crisis as information-processing systems. Attempts to fit appropriate information-processing mechanisms to different categories of crises. (PRA)

Estimated cognitive resources in nondemented older adults (n=165; ages 60-100+). Five clusters of results were found concerning age differences, the role of everyday experiences, influence of physical and mental health on cognitive performance, personality and cognitive factors, and levels of intelligence and affect. Concluded that cognitive…

This article details an approach to teaching one step in a mathematics word-problem-solving strategy, that of organizing the facts. A lesson plan is offered which involves directed instruction and supervised practice in five strategies for organizing facts. (DB)

Interviews with 12 senior administrators (8 college, 2 business, 2 hospital) who kept a journal for a year or more revealed 3 major journal-keeping functions: sorting through administrative chaos; generating solutions to problems; and documenting the past by recording details of decisions, personal data, responses to situations. Implications for…

The strength of collaborative learning is in involving students in intellectual problem solving. In a college-level U.S. literature course at East Stroudsburg University (Pennsylvania), traditional lecture and Socratic questioning establishes background; and collaborative learning is used to help students examine the central questions about the…

Discusses diagrams and problem solvers' constructions of a problem situation, how the way of drawing changes during the problem-solving process, and the meaning and sense of diagrams. (Contains 15 references.) (MKR)

Creativity is an abstract concept, not a measurable, observable behavior. There is little correspondence between intelligence and creativity functions. Educators need not pierce the mythology of genius or formally define creativity to foster creative thinking. Teachers can nourish the seeds of creativity by engaging students' learning styles and…