Presents the discussion of three teachers who were searching for understanding of problem-centered instruction in mathematics education. Aims to help readers reflect on how they see problem solving in their own classrooms and to reconsider ways in which they use problems in instruction. (ASK)

Presents two problems with multiple approaches concerning the one hundredth of something. Describes student attempts at solving these nonroutine problems using a variety of strategies. (ASK)

Transcripts of workplace interactions were analyzed to examine the role of workplace educators in standardizing discursive practices across institutions in the global economy and redesigning local practices to comply with global ones. The politics of what counts as knowledge and who gets to know is an issue workplace educators must address. (SK)

Introduces a chemical Sherlock Holmes mystery story based on properties of biological substances and qualitative analysis. (YDS)

Describes a newly designed interdisciplinary course called 'Algebra for the Sciences'. Studies the effects of the course on students' critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and attitudes towards mathematics. Concludes that students had larger gains in critical thinking skills and significantly more positive attitudes towards mathematics…

Presents evaluative work based on the computer algebra system (CAS) TREEFROG which enables drill-and-practice examples to be attempted with immediate, and ultimately intelligent, feedback. Contends that by using a suitable repertoire of black and white box CAS, a full range of algebraic skills can be developed. Presents preliminary evidence based…

Procedural understanding should be taught to students for an understanding of the 'nature of science'. Considers some of the concepts of evidence that are particularly important to biology, and discusses how and why these ideas could be taught. (Contains 21 references.) (Author/YDS)

Presents strategies to prepare students in step two of the Independent Investigation Method, goal setting, for the research in step three: ask essential questions; ask questions using Bloom's taxonomy; create playful ways to focus questioning; create a hypothesis or preliminary thesis statement; identify a variety of likely resources before…

Investigates methods for classifying problem solving strategies of high school students who studied infectious and non-infectious diseases by using a software system that can generate a picture of students' strategies in solving problems. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/YDS)

Discusses a theory of thinking, learning, and schooling based on developments in biofunctional cognition and the notion that the brain-awareness-mind cycle directly represents the natural course of human reflection. The paper argues that what makes this brain-mind cycle of reflection possible is intuitive self-awareness. Data from an experimental…

Discusses using social stories (brief narratives that describe situations in terms of social cues and appropriate responses) with autistic children. Shows how these stories can be individualized to the needs and abilities of the child and can be used to help children behave appropriately in social situations and to develop problem-solving skills.…

Child positive affect and task orientation in response to cognitively demanding puzzle tasks were assessed at two time points separated by 12 months in children with mild mental retardation and mental age and chronological age matched controls (ages 1-5 years). Results suggested correlates of motivation were similar for children with mild mental…

The author taught two sections of Principles of Finance in two different years. The courses were identical, except that in the second section, in 2004, students had access to the solutions manual for the answers to the many assigned practice problems which constituted a large proportion of the exam material. The author found that student…

Traditionally, novice programmers have had difficulties in three distinct areas: breaking down a given problem, designing a workable solution, and debugging the resulting program. Many programming environments, software applications, and teaching tools have been developed to address the difficulties faced by these novices. Along with advancements…

What features of mathematical thinking do students exhibit when they use dynamic software in their problem solving approaches? To what extent does the systematic use of technology favour students' development of problem solving competences? What type of reasoning do students develop as a result of using a particular tool? This study documents…