Naturalistic observation was used to investigate the occurrence of behaviors reflecting social competence and information processing in problem solving within educational computing environments. Forty-eight first and third graders were observed working in pairs on the computer. Findings indicate that a LOGO programing environment is superior to…

Describes an academic-based summer program designed to prepare students for high school chemistry. Discusses motivational techniques, feedback, drills, competitions, and tutoring sessions. States that increased enrollment in chemistry, student achievement on post-program test, and the number of Blacks interested and succeeding in the sciences are…

How students restructured their scientific ideas in response to contradictions was studied with 166 male and female students (aged 12 to 14 years) who tested their predictions about water displacement by experiment. Conceptual change varied; all subjects tended to hold onto old ideas, even when presented with conflicting information. (SLD)

Ten teachers successfully taught first- and second-grade children to count up while keeping track with finger patterns. Learning to subtract by counting up greatly improved children's performance on take-away, compare, and equalize word problems, and enabled them to accelerate by as much as three years their learning of subtraction topics. (MNS)

Presents an algorithm for solving problems related to multiple allelic frequencies in populations at equilibrium. Considers sample problems and provides their solution using this tabular algorithm. (CW)

Investigated were the relation between functional M-capacity and student performance in solving chemistry problems of increasing M-demand. Student performance decreased as the M-demand of the problems increased. (Author/YP)

Five articles describe improvements in instructional software designed to enhance problem solving skills. Issues addressed include problem solving software to implement curriculum goals; problem solving theory and writing theory; software for elementary and secondary school science instruction; software for mathematics instruction; and cognitive…

The article argues that it is necessary to identify and teach mentally retarded students the work behavior that is essential for successful employment. To ensure success, students must have vocational and social skills as well as adaptability skills which help them assess a problem, set a course of action, and modify their activities. (Author/DB)

Our highly technological society requires that all students be empowered to use mathematics to defend their rights and see behind political control agendas. Situations (such as computer-modeling decisions) are often "mathematicized" to stifle those unable to construct their own mathematically based arguments. African-American students…

Presents three teaching ideas: (1) investigating patterns in the sum of four numbers in a square array, no two from the same column or row; (2) using three-dimensional coordinates to generate models of three tetrahedra; and (3) applying the K=rs area formula for a triangle to other polygons. (MDH)

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics'"Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" (1989) and "Professional Standards for School Mathematics" (1991) need principals' help to be implemented. Secondary principals should become familiar with standards, provide teachers with long-term professional…

This paper discusses a multicomponent approach to assessment of productive thinking with gifted students. It presents a model of productive thinking encompassing creative and critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Emphasis is on planning/profiling, instruction, evaluation, and documentation. Profiling, performance assessment,…

A teacher-developed board game, designed for upper elementary and middle school students with mild disabilities, promotes student familiarity with their home state and applies problem-solving and map-reading skills in a cooperative-learning format. (DB)

Describes a study of 120 second-grade and fourth-grade students that explored a self-regulatory approach to problem solving by providing pairs of students with the IDEA model to identify, define, explore, and assess progress in solving computer problems. The use of student journals, classroom debriefings, and observations are discussed. (LRW)

Reports on a study of the relationships between assertiveness and cooperativeness dimensions of conflict styles among 202 graduate business students. Finds that preferences for assertiveness are reflected in both strategic and tactical use of behaviors. Also finds cooperativeness is associated with last-choice behaviors. (CFR)