The ways in which women tend to be disadvantaged in computing courses are examined. The apparent technology-centeredness of computing, the emphasis accorded mathematics as well as narrow problem solving skills and the undervaluing of broadly based problem solving and communication skills are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Differences were investigated between communication behaviors of small groups trained or not trained in creative problem-solving. The 110 members of groups trained in problem solving participated more, criticized ideas less, supported ideas more, exhibited more verbal and nonverbal indications of humor, and produced more ideas than the 90…

Presents four worksheets designed to introduce middle school students to the use of diagrams to solve real world problems. Describes instructional usage of the worksheets with answers to all worksheets. (YP)

Classifies children's solution strategies by degree of abstraction and by use of physical objects. Children in grades one, two, and three were given two multiplication and four division word problems that differed in semantic structure. (Author/YP)

Interest in mathematics can often be generated by seemingly nonmathematical items. A card trick from a course in recreational mathematics for middle school students is described. It involves several important mathematical activities: problem-solving analysis, making a conjecture and testing it, discovering, and verbalizing. (MNS)

Explains the effects of examination fear and anxiety on student performance. Cites ways instructors can intervene to help alleviate the problem and better promote learning. (RT)

Describes laboratory-oriented software programs that are short, time-saving, eliminate computational errors, and not found in public domain courseware. Program availability for IBM and Apple microcomputers is included. (RT)

Investigates to what extent contextual changes in the meaning of the concept of "week" causes problems for children in the fifth and sixth grades. Reports that poor performing children have difficulties in finding the proper semantic referent. (YP)

Describes experiences, or "lab puzzles," which will help students develop problem-solving skills in a laboratory setting. Outlines procedures for developing techniques, setting boundaries, and finding the number of molecules of water in Lake Erie. (RT)

Examines types of decisions, how they are made, and how adverse conditions effect them all in the context of outdoor experiential learning. Compares these issues in light of related work done in psychology and sociology. (CW)

Five geometry experiments with 127 Australian high school students found that guidance provided in a format requiring attention to two sources of information resulted in performance no better than that on conventional problems. A format not requiring split attention resulted in the superiority of worked examples over conventional problems. (SLD)

If society is to avoid harmful applications of technology, young people must be trained to consider the social and ethical implications of their decisions. Universities have a responsibility to teach students that they are responsible for the choices they make and to see the value assumptions on which decisions rest. (MLW)

Illustrates some learning encounters for facilitating first graders' understanding of geometry. Describes some of children's approaches using Cuisenaire rods and teacher's intervening. Presents six problems involving various combinations of Cuisenaire rods and cubes. (YP)

Summarizes the interview and observation of mathematics teachers on their classroom teaching of problem solving. Discusses the related issues that teachers should consider as they plan and teach problem solving lessons. (YP)

Examines the students' understanding of mathematical structure and the relationship between problem solving and the identification of the structure in 13 word problems. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to assess how subjects organized word problems in their minds. (YP)