In recent years, teachers have noticed a drop in student effort on complex problems in math and science. The purpose of this study was to determine if incorporating cooperative learning and self-recording strategies had an impact upon student effort on complex problems. A total of 38 9th through 11th grade math and science students at two…

This report describes a program for improving elementary school students ability to solve mathematical word problems. The targeted population consisted of primary, middle, and junior high students attending two different kindergarten through eighth grade schools. Both schools were located within blue collar neighborhoods in a large metropolitan…

This study compared two techniques of teaching verbal problem solving. The consensus method is a commonly used decision-making strategy, while the expository (control) method is the most familiar teaching strategy for verbal problems. Two sets of sixth-grade students under two teachers were divided into treatment groups. Both sets of subjects were…

This report describes a project for improving problem solving skills in students at the secondary level. The targeted population consisted of high school students in growing communities located in the suburbs of a large Midwestern city. Various studies have indicated that students lack problem-solving skills. Analysis of student and teacher…

This report investigated to what extent a curriculum designed to actively teach critical thinking skills resulted in students utilizing higher-order thinking skills (e.g., analysis, synthesis and evaluation). An intervention strategy was designed for a sixth grade class located in a diverse suburban community in northern Illinois. The intervention…

This review of the literature and annotated bibliography summarizes the available research relating to teaching programming to high school students. It is noted that, while the process of programming a computer could be broken down into five steps--problem definition, algorithm design, code writing, debugging, and documentation--current research…

The purpose of this study was the construction of a theoretical model for analyzing mathematical problem solving. A list of general problem-solving abilities was generated through a literature search. This list was narrowed to eight basic abilities pertinent to mathematics problem solving. Each of these was operationally defined and exemplified in…

Current mathematics education emphasizes the importance of a problem solving mindset in the classroom. Students need to know how they are going to use what they are learning in real life. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of anchored problem solving instruction on middle school students' mathematical abilities. The researcher…

Various methods of learning employed to solve problems in mechanical engineering are presented. Results indicate that video recording and playback to students is the most effective instruction process. A comparison of analytical thinking to rote memory was made, and variables which affect learning, such as personality, are discussed. (NTIS)

This report describes a program for improving students' depth of understanding through the use of alternative assessment. The targeted population consisted of students at one elementary, one junior high, and two high schools in two growing middle class communities in northern Illinois. Lack of student understanding was documented through teacher…

From the late 1950s through today, hands-on science has been promoted as a method of science instruction. Currently, recent national science reform efforts seek to temper its role. However, no consensus has been reached on the relationship of hands-on science to student achievement, though this has been researched since the turn of the 20th…

The purpose of this action research project is to improve student social skills through the use of cooperative learning, in order to develop a positive classroom environment that is conducive to learning. The action research project will involve approximately 95 students, 95 parents, and 200 teachers. It is the intent of the teacher researchers to…

This report documents a program for improving science knowledge, attitudes, and higher order thinking skills through experiential science. The hands-on approach used successfully in the program is described, and evidence of student improvement is also presented. The targeted population consisted of students in the first, third, and fourth grades…

This thesis discusses learning and teaching in geography at the college level and presents one model of learning which could serve as the basis of an introductory college grography course. The author interprets and alters two learning models previously presented to the geographic community: one model, developed by William D. Pattison, involves…

This practicum was designed to demonstrate the value of Gestalt learning theory in teaching a unit of study on air pollution in Polk County, Florida. Students researched specific viewpoints based upon assigned positions in regard to air pollution (Cattlemen's Association, Florida Phosphate Council, Florida Citrus Mutual, Mid-State Lung…