Investigated how alternative permit (AP) novices engaged in problem solving about teaching problems. Twelve urban AP novices in their first year of teaching completed periodic interviews and questionnaires over 15 weeks and were observed teaching six times. Problems identified included classroom management, behavior management, and curriculum.…

This study examined the use of online argumentation scaffolds to engage and support coherent argumentation. Participants were students in an undergraduate economics course. Results showed that providing a constraint-based argumentation scaffold during group problem-solving activities increased the generation of coherent arguments and resulted in…

Describes a study investigating the effects of short-term interventions on preservice elementary teachers' understanding of the topic of ozone depletion and whether complex issues can be dealt with successfully through short-term intervention. Reports that preservice teachers' understanding improved through a short-term intervention using a mix of…

Describes the idea of teaching as active learning and defines direction in mathematics teaching as action and perception. Presents an example of a mathematics classroom activity in which students are centered. (KHR)

Explains the importance of problem solving and critical thinking for scientific literacy and discusses assessment strategies to evaluate student problem solving. (YDS)

Describes an assignment in a history and systems of psychology course where students traced the genealogy of psychologists in terms of their academic roots. Explains that the students learned about bibliographic resources during the project. Discusses assignment outcomes as discovered through a student survey. (CMK)

Children move through the same anger cycle as adults and need similar coping strategies and problem solving skills. This paper presents pre-anger approaches, discussing what to do before the "boil-over" occurs, when the boiling point is reached, and after the boil-over. A sidebar presents a list of questions and activities parents can use with…

Business education students (n=100) rated 14 job skills identified by the Secretary's Commission on Necessary Skills. The top characteristic identified was interpersonal skills followed by critical thinking. Other skills included teamwork, problem solving, computer literacy, and multitasking. (JOW)

To examine the relationships buffers may have with suicide ideation, 300 African American female college students completed measures of suicide ideation and buffers. Three variables accounted for a significant and unique portion of the variance in suicide ideation: family support, a view that suicide is unacceptable, and a collaborative religious…

Explores the effects of previous exposure to the Reach Out to Schools: Social Competency Program (SCP) on the middle school adjustment of sixth grade students. SCP is designed to teach children social skills to help them to communicate better, solve problems and build stronger relationships. Results show associations between program exposure and…

Considers how little training is provided for writing "the internal proposal." Notes that the internal proposal provides an opportunity for students to develop the competence and confidence to express their ideas in the workplace, encouraging them to demonstrate awareness and initiative, utilize problem-solving skills, and create a persuasive…

A review of research and theory on cognitive processes and their relationship to instructional technique since the early 1970s looks at the contributions of schema theory and artificial intelligence and their instructional implications, including cognitive load theory, worked examples for learning problem solving, and physical vs. mental…

Sixty-seven learning-disabled (LD) adolescents attending vocational-technical schools completed a self-management training program. Results showed improvements in the problem-solving and job-related social skills of LD students who received the self-management training program compared to both LD and non-LD students who were not trained.…

The exploration, discovery, and generation of attractive two-dimensional designs as an approach to informal geometry and spatial learning is discussed. Six activities with brief instructions are presented. (CW)

These three learning activities are on measuring accessible distances, designing a wind powered generator, and designing a hot dog heater using solar energy. Each activity includes description of context, objectives, list of materials and equipment, challenge to students, and evaluation questions. (SK)