Proposes a perspective on mathematical symbolism as a communication and conceptualization tool. Describes research in which first graders, solving mathematical problems in small groups, invented symbolic representations as both a part of the knowledge construction process and a means of communicating their conceptualizations to each other. (SV)

A total of 10,785 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in Hebrew-language elementary schools in Jerusalem were given a written test that assessed their understanding of transitive syllogisms. Analyses indicated that the effect of schooling on children's understanding of transitive inference was larger than the effect of age. (MDM)

Examined the effects of instruction in bridging and problem-solving strategy, 2 specific components of mediational instruction, on behaviors of 10- and 11-year-old children during LOGO programing tasks. Describes two case studies demonstrating typical differences between children's performances under the different learning conditions. Supports the…

Effects of the Future Problem-Solving Program on the ability of 29 gifted fourth graders and 32 gifted fifth graders to solve futuristic problems similar to those used in the program were studied. Results indicate a significant effect of the program on solution of this type of problem. (SLD)

Describes differences in formative evaluation techniques between instructional designers and subject matter experts. Content analysis based on think-aloud data focusing on differences in task interpretation, problem identification and revision statements, and review strategies is discussed; use of instructional systems design models by…

Describes how parents can teach children to be creative problem solvers, providing information from the University of Michigan's Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP). The FPSP model involves brainstorming subproblems, identifying important problem areas, brainstorming solutions, brainstorming criteria for evaluating ideas, evaluating solutions,…

In a study of children's use of encoding and strategy knowledge in domains in which problem-specific experience is lacking, children were tested for serial recall. Seven- and nine-year olds encoded contiguity relations, and encoding was related to strategy choices. Less consistent encoding of five-year olds did not influence strategy choices. (BC)

In a study of the use of baserates and the representativeness heuristic, children and college students made judgments about scenarios that varied by domain and information provided. The use of baserates and heuristic, and the consistency between subjects' choices and rationales, increased with age. Use of individuating information developed early.…

The simple physics behind the mechanism of the toy are explained. Experimental and mathematical steps are given that help in understanding the motion of the doll-pair. The geometry of the setup is described. (KR)

College students were assigned to either dyadic or individual problem-solving conditions and were given a series of formal operational tasks. Dyadic subjects solved more problems during the interaction phase than did individual subjects. Among dyadic subjects, interactions were associated with problem solving and pre-to-posttest gain scores. (BC)

Reviews recent research related to metacognition and mathematical problem-solving performance. Offers suggestions for classroom activities to teach the skills of metacognition (i.e., plan, monitor, and evaluate thinking) in the context of mathematics. Offers instructor observations and students' self-evaluations about the types of metacognitive…

Describes a plan designed to teach and assess (cumulatively and sequentially) five levels of problem-solving ability in three standard courses in the theater curriculum at Alverno College in Wisconsin. (SR)

Students with language and learning disabilities may have difficulty solving mathematics word problems. Use of a sequential checklist, identifying clues and keywords, and illustrating a problem can all help the student identify and implement the correct computational process. (DB)

An attempt to clarify the teaching of some of the concepts of thermodynamics through the observation of an experiment with an ordinary refrigeration system is presented. The cycle of operation in the refrigeration system and the individual processes in the cycle are described. (KR)

A technique that uses a three-meter Foucault pendulum and a laser to measure latitude is presented. A 40-meter Foucault pendulum located in Finland and the ways in which it is used are described. The technical details and the plans for a continuously driven laser pendulum are discussed. (KR)