A comparison of three instructional methods (frontal lecture strategies, mastery learning strategies, and experiential mastery learning strategies) in a paramedical course showed that frontal lecture produced the highest scores on the lower mental process subtest while experiential mastery learning produced the highest scores on all measures of…

Bringing together technical and administrative personnel for a problem-solving session preceeds the development of an institutional energy management plan. A "Master Plan Worksheet" model is included along with monitoring guidelines for successful plan implementation. (MLF)

Describes a situation within an organization where a new problem-solving and decision-making program was being instituted and the development of a preparation program to acquaint program leaders with the changes. Objectives of the preparation program and elements of the guide and video that were utilized are discussed. (MBR)

The Center for the Analysis of Marine Systems (CAMS) was created as an interdisciplinary "think tank" to meet needs of modern oceanography. The international research center's focus and success rests on theory, observation, and computer modeling. Projects involving lava flow and year-to-year variations in abundance of fish are described. (DH)

The relationship of juvenile delinquency and father absence to family problem-solving communication was investigated using an observational method. In the results, delinquency was associated with lower rates of maternal problem solving, and father absence was associated with higher rates of maternal and adolescent problem solving. (KH)

A summer program for in-service elementary teachers is described. Five topics were the focus: diagnosis and analysis of achievement, designing instructional sequences, concrete manipulative materials, puzzles and games, and problem solving. (MNS)

Patterns resulting from polygonal numbers are explored, with examples of triangular, square, pentagonal, rectangular, and other numbers. Tables and formulas to be developed are included. (MNS)

Observation of a sample of 24 Chicago (Illinois) principals for a period of 11 working days each, spread over the course of 1 to 2 school years, revealed evidence of an organizational loyalty/identification system and a training-oriented relationship between the principal and the district superintendent. (MLF)

The strategy used by St. Olaf College to integrate computing into a liberal arts curriculum is discussed. Faculty computer literacy was developed first, followed by the use of computing in a wide variety of courses. Computer science, problem analysis, symbol manipulation, and information processing are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Tests the hypothesis that high-SES children process information more efficiently using mechanisms associated with the left hemisphere and that low-SES children process more efficiently using the right. A laterality task was administered tachistoscopically to 120 children, divided evenly by SES (high and low), sex, and grade (fifth and seventh).…

Approaches to developing teaching assistant programs are discussed, based on the organizational change literature. Five models are identified: rational planning, social interaction, human problem solving, political models, and a research and development approach. Political processes often can be blended with social interaction and problem-solving…

Argues that, while software for preschoolers does not use the potential of the computer as effectively as it might, observations with children using the LOGO language with simplified graphics suggest gains may be made in the areas of cognitive development, problem solving, creativity, and social and language skills. (Author/KS)

Discusses procedures used throughout history to solve fractional and decimal divisor problems. Early rules and definitions, approaches in mathematics and methods books, "new math" approaches, research findings, and recent textbook procedures are included. Concludes by presenting nine recommendations for teaching the operation. (DH)

Use of calculators for teaching percent to first-year general mathematics students is explained by addressing such areas as sequence of lessons, teaching/learning problems, calculator errors, and recommended instructional strategies. Teaching concepts independent of calculator usage, not using special percentage keys, and initiating estimation as…

A study of the reliability of a computer-assisted test of optometric clinical diagnostic skills that uses actual patient cases revealed that the test is most useful when used in conjunction with subjective clinical grading for evaluating problem-solving skills. (MSE)