This study examined the role of dynamic assessment involving specific and general instructional strategies on expert and novice third graders' error patterns in solving part-whole mathematics word problems. The assessment showed that novices in general required more prompts than did experts. Experts in the specific strategy group had decreased…

Presents findings from five studies measuring students' attitudes towards mathematics, perception of performance, perception of the importance of mathematical problem solving, and perception of problem difficulty. The interaction of affect and cognition and the implications for assessing and teaching mathematical problem solving to students with…

A year-long study of an innovative approach to mathematics, which emphasized in-depth problem solving and achievement of automaticity through math games, found such methods to be viable for students with average and above average academic abilities, but students with learning disabilities or at-risk students need much greater assistance if they…

Four major concepts of cognitive theory (the importance of context, students' need for transferable knowledge, importance of balancing depth and breadth of knowledge, and the role of prior knowledge in problem solving) are examined, and possible implications of each concept for the curriculum and teaching of ambulatory health care are explored.…

Reports on the views on problem-solving developed by prospective elementary teachers as a result of experiencing problem-centered learning in an integrated math-science methods course. Discusses four assertions related to students' attitudes toward problem-solving, their knowledge of problem-solving and problem-solving processes, and the role of…

Discussion of the Big Six information skills model focuses on a case study that examines the effect of Big6 on a class of eighth-grade students doing research on the African-American Civil Rights movement. Topics include information problem solving; metacognition; scaffolding; and Big6 as a metacognitive scaffold. (Author/LRW)

Highlights research findings regarding technology's effects on student learning as determined by the Center for Applied Research in Education Technology (CARET). Topics include achievement in content area learning; higher-order thinking and problem-solving skill development; workforce preparation; and using technology in conjunction with…

This article describes how teachers combined schoolwide enrichment and differentiated instruction models to design a fifth-grade fantasy literature unit. Small groups explored novels to learn the germane content and genre characteristics and then regrouped to refine and apply what was learned to a variety of open-ended problems. (Contains…

Illustrates the diverse ways in which the computer spreadsheet can be used by both teachers and students as a problem-solving tool in high school mathematics, and provides detailed examples of spreadsheet use in word problems. Discusses the functions of spreadsheet tables, columns, and graphs. (AEF)

Outlines a pair of projects used in introductory calculus that are inspired by techniques archaeologists use in the analysis of pottery. These real-world application problems appeal to students who are not necessarily interested in the standard application of calculus. (Author/DDR)

This annotated bibliography of recommended CD-ROMs that could form the basis of an early childhood multimedia collection makes some suggestions for linking them to books. Subjects include general early learning, math concepts, problem solving, reading readiness, and science. (DGM)

South African experiments with an intervention in university chemistry instruction are critiqued for their poor descriptions of the method, problems with research methodology and data, reliability and validity issues, and assumptions made about application of the intervention. The intervention, Academic Support Programs (ASP), taught…

The use of a "2 x 2" matrix for introspection is described. Columns are labelled "Like" and "Don't Like" and rows are labelled "Have" and "Don't Have"; items are jotted down in each of the quadrants. Discussion includes self-diagnosis of responses, cooperative brainstorming and analysis, additional applications, and suggestions for filling out…

Describes a teacher's use of computer software to teach geometry, specifically two cases related to angles and lines in circles. Explains instructional strategies that can be employed to support student problem solving, communication, reasoning, and connection building. (DDR)

Discusses the teaching of linear algebra with and without computer software. Considers class format with regard to computer usage, the effect of holding classes in the computer laboratory, homework, computer projects, and student responses. Appendices contain topic tutorials and sample computer projects. (DDR)