Describes Diagnosis for Instruction in Problem Solving (DIPS), a new line of research for science educators interested in interdisciplinary efforts and ways in which computer technology might be used to better understand how to improve science teaching. Outlines the basic architecture of DIPS in terms of instruction and research implications.…

This paper reports the evaluation of instructional provisions designed to foster higher cognitive skill in a computer programming course. This intervention explicitly encourages novice programmers to engage in the problem-solving skill of planning. (Author)