This activity for grades three through six determines how to identify the gross tonnage of a ship by measuring volume in cubic feet. During the problem-solving process, students construct and use a tool for measuring volume, derive a formula based on data collected, and compare their data with a given set of statistics. (AIM)

Analyzes how 20 groups of management specialists in charge of a computer-simulated company behaved when confronted with complex problems that arose. Difficulties stemmed from an incorrect use of available knowledge, a tendency to avoid risks and reduce uncertainty, and a motivational process which sheltered the subjective sense of competence. (AEF)

Describes a study that investigates the relationship between secondary students' written responses and the mathematical and cognitive processing used when solving a complex problem. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

Discusses the Texas Instruments calculator the TI-92 and how it can be an effective tool in the mathematics classroom. Provides examples of combining the algebra capabilities of the calculator and Cabri-Geometry II with graphing, tables of values, statistics, programming, and a simple text editor to enhance mathematics instruction. (DDR)

Focuses on mental strategies for computing in the middle grades. Describes what they are and why they are important. Refers to relevant research and presents some teaching ideas for developing these strategies beyond the primary grades. Includes a discussion of the role of mental calculation in everyday life both past and future. Contains 27…

Mental arithmetic strategies were studied with 91 Dutch third graders who computed by splitting off 10s and units in both numbers or counting by 10s up or down from the first unsplit number. Results reveal flexibility in changing between and within strategy use. Implications for instruction are discussed. (SLD)

Children ages 9-10 (n=30) were given social skills training and their scores on computer tasks were compared with 30 controls. Males scored highest on the pre and posttest. Females in mixed-sex groups scored better than females in girls-only groups. Girls who received social skills training had the highest rate of improvement. (SK)

Suggests that classroom activities that emphasize interaction help students to use language. Interaction allows students to practice being effective speakers by developing two needed sets of skills: managing an interaction and negotiating meaning. Provides examples of problem solving activities for use in the language classroom. (Author/VWL)

Describes how to use a well-known book, "Caps for Sale", with children as a springboard for mathematical problem solving. Presents patterning problems, problems created by the student, problems with a known total and unknown parts, and problems with known parts and an unknown total. (KHR)

Analyzes student performance on solution calorimetry problems in an introductory university chemistry class. Includes data from written classroom exams for 207 students and an extensive longitudinal interview with a student. Indicates learning difficulties, most of which appear to originate from failure to understand, that net increases and…

Tested hypotheses linking global/analytic cognitive styles and aspects of researchers' problem-solving and related information-seeking behavior, based on a longitudinal study conducted in the United Sates and the United Kingdom that investigated the processes of mediated information retrieval searching during human information-seeking processes.…

Explores the various cultural perspectives present in mathematics education in China. States that the Chinese mathematics education has hidden problems and can learn from the Western mathematics education that utilizes approaches such as problem solving and constructivism. States that ethnomathematics should have an active role. (CMK)

Considers how computing and composition combine for a new form of interdisciplinary learning and intramural cooperation. Offers a description of the analogous processes of problem solving and programming in an introductory computer science course and the writing process typically used in introductory English composition courses. (Author/LRW)

Maintains that Demetriou and his colleagues' project shows how developmental scientists can assess concepts from multiple frameworks and relate them through explicit modeling and targeted research to build explanations powerfully grounded in data and theory. Presents doubts related to specific conclusions because of issues related to the design of…

Uses multimedia to create a constructivist learning experience and to innovate a multimedia constructivist learning model based on a course at Multimedia University (Malaysia). Assessed students' problem solving skills and ability to evaluate a Web site's design, creativity, and navigational structure by requiring them to reconstruct and improve…