Productive failure is an instructional approach that requires learners to struggle as they attempt to generate solutions to problems before, rather than after, receiving direct instruction on a targeted concept. Studies demonstrate that productive failure prepares students for later learning of new, related knowledge. Our study explored the…

Mathematical Communication Skills (MCS) refer to the students' ability to (1) arrange and link their mathematical thinking through communication; (2) communicate their logical and clear mathematical thinking to their friends, teachers, and others; (3) analyze and assess mathematical thinking and strategies used by others; and (4) use mathematical…

The ability to correctly interpret data is an important skill in modern knowledge societies. The present study investigates adults' ability to interpret covariation data presented in bar graphs. Drawing on previous findings that show that the problem context influences the interpretation of contingency tables (grounded and concrete problems are…

The purpose of this study is to examine organizational decision-making processes of problem-solving groups. This experimental design study utilized a case study method bounded by a fictional problem-solving scenario to illicit problem solving in groups. Fourteen undergraduate pre-service teachers were placed into six groups and given 45 minutes to…

Reasoning and problem solving skills are not just for researchers; they are also progressively significant for making knowledgeable decisions in our everyday lives. Showing variations in learning styles have any influence on these skills? The current state of research address the learning styles in context of reasoning and problem solving ability.…

Heat and enthalpy are challenging topics for general chemistry students because they are conceptually complex and require avariety of quantitative problem-solving approaches. Expert chemists draw on conditional knowledge, deciding when and under what conditions a certain problem-solving approach should be used. Decision-based learning (DBL)…

Reflection and recalibration, two key hallmarks of metacognition, are important elements of productive problem solving in scientific research. Often, training in these skills is obtained informally through direct exposure to independent research after college. Although some undergraduate students participate in extra- or co-curricular research…

Developing an understanding of fractions is critical and is an educational focus, as reflected in national standards and principles. This study conducted a quantitative synthesis of 22 experimental studies to investigate the overall efficacy of previously conducted fraction interventions compared to standard instruction. Instruction type and…

An important aspect of bringing innovation to education is supporting children's own innovative thinking. Teachers are finding that escape room activities can provoke children's wonder and determination to pursue their curiosity, which builds a foundation for innovators of the future.

Research has indicated that students can be taught self-regulated learning (SRL) in scaffolding programs focusing on a fixed continuous practice (e.g., metacognitive question prompts). However, the fading role of scaffolding to prepare autonomous learning is often an overlooked component. A unique approach for fading is suggested that offers a…

We present a synthesis of the Onto-semiotic Approach (OSA) theoretical system to mathematical knowledge and instruction, while highlighting the problems, principles and research methods that are addressed in this approach and considering the didactics of mathematics as a scientific and technological discipline. We suggest that Didactics should…

The authors set out to determine the brain dominance characteristics of students enrolled in business statistics courses in a historically Black university in a major southeastern Texas city. Thereafter, the authors investigated the relationship between a student's brain hemispheric preference and academic performance in college courses, which…

The act of explaining can help students to develop new understandings of mathematical ideas, construct rules for solving problems, become aware of misunderstandings or a lack of understanding and develop their mathematical communication. Their explanations can also offer opportunities for a teacher to understand more fully what the students are…

Challenging mathematics problems were posed as a substantial part of homework in an elective combinatorics course. The intent was to encourage undergraduate students' exploration as well as develop their technical writing skills. The bulk of students' grades on these problems rested on a three-page reflective write-up using a rubric on…

While some of Paulo Freire's readers understand his pedagogy as a rejection of any and all directive teaching methods, there are many scholars who do recognise Freire's emphasis on teacher directiveness in its appropriate form. In light of this tension between directiveness and dialogue, it seems that students of Freire must inevitably come to a…