Two different methods of measuring the temperature of an incandescent lamp at various voltage levels are described. By observing the color produced at a particular voltage levels, the lamp's color as a function of temperature can be determined. Needed equipment include a variac, a voltmeter, and an ammeter. (KR)

The explicit, experimental introduction of a series of logical inconsistencies is described and recommended as a means of disrupting the faulty logic and, thereby, enhancing the use of more appropriate probabilistic reasoning by graduate students enrolled in an introductory inferential statistics course. (14 references) (JJK)

Investigated diagnostic problem solving of doctoral and nondoctoral school psychologists, educational diagnosticians, and school psychology graduate students (n=125) through use of computer simulation of typical school referral problem and verbal retrospective think-aloud protocol. Results suggest that education and experience were unrelated to…

Parent-teacher conferences are often mutually unsatisfactory. If some improvement in the child's behavior or performance is expected, teachers need to identify problems, set reasonable goals, develop a course of action, and provide some means of followup. (MLF)

This study with 56 students (mean age 15 years) with mental retardation and 53 nonretarded students (matched for mental age) found that students with mental retardation were more likely to rely on all kinds of external cues (task-relevant, incidental, or misleading) in problem solving, especially when the preceding task had been difficult.…

Proposes the utilization of graph theory to solve optimization problems. Defines the notion of spanning trees and presents two algorithms to determine optimization of a spanning tree. Discusses an example to connect towns by power transmission lines at minimum cost. (MDH)

This study found that the restructured National Board Dental Examination Part II is a reliable test assessing a full range of cognitive behaviors, and a unidimensional test of comprehensive general dentistry, suggesting better testing of knowledge and problem-solving skills than on the traditional examination. Performance on the pilot and…

This paper examines cognitive capacities and dispositional characteristics that contribute to creative problem solving, including relationship generation skills, expertise, adaptability, and wisdom. The paper argues that programs for gifted and talented students should develop the beliefs, values, and motives that will encourage students to apply…

Three brief scenarios introduce a discussion of how foreign language department chairs can handle difficult faculty situations. External influences on higher education are noted, and strategies are outlined, including listening, defining the problem, mentoring, and keeping written records. (LB)

Differences in use of problem-solving strategies for environmental issues were studied for 17 experts on the environment, in contrast with novice groups of 53 academics and 15 graduating college students. The significantly higher scores of environmental experts imply that the skills to solve multidisciplinary issues are domain specific. (SLD)

Differing in purpose, emphasis, and results, three types of action research (individual teacher research, collaborative action research, and schoolwide action research) allow educators to investigate areas of concern and meet classroom and school challenges. Faculty should consider five elements: purpose and process; support provided by outside…

Explores the potential of television to elicit active participation in mathematics by reviewing research concerning the "Square One TV" television series. Types of participation that have been observed among viewers are described, and characteristics of "Square One TV" formats that have been particularly successful in eliciting…

Notes that literature has been found to be creative tool for helping children cope with changes in their lives. Illustrates how bibliotherapy can be used to help adolescents cope with family breakdown, foster care, and adoption placement. Books are presented that can be useful in clinical practice. (Author/NB)

The existential contexts of education reach far beyond the conceptions of Goals 2000 or the appalling actualities of family breakdown, homelessness, violence, and other "savage inequalities." Classroom encounters with the arts can move the young to imagine, extend, and renew. If the arts' significance for growth, inventiveness, and…

Illustrates the use of forced classification for assessing student solutions to ill-structured problems. The analysis, applied to discussions by children of a social problem, consists of content categorization; quality ratings within content categories; and categorical discriminant analysis, with student grade and judged quality as discriminating…