This article argues that the field of social studies encompasses concepts critical to students' eventual civic participation. It addresses ways to foster higher level thinking, problem solving, and group skills by working with issues of importance to students with learning disabilities and promoting their futures as active citizens. A…

Describes a study of sixth grade middle school students that examined whether tuning students' attention to information in a mathematics problem impacted their problem-solving performance. Discusses use of the Jasper Woodbury Problem-Solving series and results of statistical analyses that showed the importance of creating mathematical problems…

Examined gender differences in depressive symptoms during adolescence related to gender-typed characteristics, problem solving abilities, and stressful life events in Canada. Surveys of high school students indicated that girls reported more depressive symptoms and scored higher on expressivity, whereas boys reported more instrumental attributes.…

Focuses on the way norming sessions can function as sites of professional development that generate both individual classroom-based inquiry and group inquiry among teachers. Explores the effect of a site-based and rhetorically based model of assessment that attempts to engage teachers in continuous collaborative inquiry directly related to their…

Constructivist theory recognizes the student's value as thinker. Thinking ability hinges on the capacity to ask and consider important questions. Teachers need question-driven problem-solving strategies that are comprehensive, adaptable, discriminating, productive, and transferable. This article explains four types of situations and accompanying…

This article describes a video- and computer-based program used to motivate and develop mathematics skills in middle school students with disabilities. The program emphasizes real-life problems such as building a cage for a pet, a skate boarding ramp, and a "hovercraft" frame. Case studies illustrate the program's effectiveness with individual…

Explains why some community colleges are offering on-campus housing, and illustrates some of the challenges and issues they faced. New challenges addressed include student health and productivity, housing funding, and maintenance. (GR)

Presents the activity of building a cotton-ball catapult collaboratively. Uses available spare parts and stimulates students to use their knowledge, skills, and past experiences. (YDS)

Argues that students should continuously question the purpose of their daily classroom activities and assignments. Explains that when students are required to consider purpose, they begin to develop important intellectual skills, and to bring relevance to their critical thinking and daily life. (NB)

Investigated three experienced elementary teachers' practices and beliefs when implementing design and technology education for the first time. Teachers lacked knowledge about the new curriculum. They did not capitalize upon opportunities for scaffolding students' learning within the open-ended activities they implemented. Prior conceptions of…

Describes a group work approach to the teaching of ethical issues in biotechnology and evaluates its impact on the acquisition of the key skills of working together, communication, and problem solving. Uses the Key Skills Confidence Scale (KSCS) to evaluate post-16 students' self confidence. (Contains 30 references.) (Author/YDS)

Explores high school students' collaborative efforts in solving qualitative physics problems and investigates how and whether confronting students with varying views improves problem solving skills. (Contains 22 references.) (DDR)

Explores the effects of using online notepads to take notes on problem solving and learning in a scientific domain. Describes experiments conducted at George Mason University with undergraduate students that showed positive benefits for problems solving and self-explanation when using online notepads. (Contains 50 references.) (Author/LRW)

Investigates teacher education methods for teacher development as constructivist science instructors. Explains a typical day in a classroom using the traditional teaching approach and makes recommendations for promoting scientific thinking and problem solving. (YDS)

Investigates the effects of web-based instructional materials on students' understanding of chemical concepts. Uses interviews with students, concept mapping, and a free-response survey for the study. (YDS)