The purpose of the Idaho Direct Mathematics Assessment (DMA) is to measure Idaho students' mathematical problem-solving skills, including their ability to apply basic skills to problem-solving situations as stated in the Idaho Achievement Standards document. Problem solving is valued as an essential tool for success in a complex, modern world. The…

This study examined the influence of three different combinations of document structures and menu designs on users' attitude, performance, and learning in five different search tasks. The three types of combinations studied were: (1) an explicit menu signaling hierarchical structure where cross-referencing was not supported (EXH--explicit and…

This study examined the effect of goal-orientation on subjects' metacognitive activities during problem solving. Twenty female undergraduate students were randomly assigned to a learning or performance goal-orientation condition. The subjects were given an open-ended problem-solving task with instructions highlighting their respective…

Error analysis performed on data sets revealed that seventh grade students used a variety of rules of operation for solving the signed-number arithmetic problems. The data sets were obtained from an experimental study in which students were randomly assigned to study either of two lessons written on a computer based education system. The two…

This step-by-step manual presents a problem-solving technique for developing or improving educational programs. Used in Michigan by more than 40 school districts, the process is intended for use by school district curriculum development committees, curriculum selection committees, or other groups--especially those with individuals who have…

This guidebook, the second in a series of three, (plus a linker's guide) is intended to aid educational personnel in the selection of programs and materials best suited for specific schools and needs. The first section of the guide enables educators to develop detailed estimates of the costs for each program under consideration. The second section…

This guidebook, the final in a series of three, serves as a work action plan to help educators and educational administrators in implementing and evaluating new programs and instructional materials. Checklists of the various kinds of materials necessary for the implementation of an educational program are provided, along with hints about the most…

This paper describes a recent program of organizational awareness and development (OAD) initiated for a university program council. It describes the nature, purposes, and objectives of OAD and its role as a third party. It also provides an example of applied communication research, divided into four phases: (1) diagnostic, (2) feedback, (3)…

This report describes a program for improving students' oral and written communication in mathematics. The target population consisted of third and fourth grade classes in a suburban, middle class community located in a large Midwestern state. The current lack of communication was demonstrated by the results of class surveys, student interviews,…

This action research describes a program for improving mathematical problem solving skills. The targeted population consisted of first grade students in a transient, middle class community as well as third and sixth grade students from a growing, middle to upper class in Illinois. The concerns of problem solving were documented through teacher…

This dissertation investigates the effects of two different grouping strategies on secondary students concerning their preparation for, and performance at, a computer programming contest. Students were divided into two groups, experimental and control, for a 3-week treatment, followed by the contest. Students in the experimental group became…

An instrument for self-analysis of creative problem-solving style is introduced. A circular flow model of dynamic tension establishes a profile based on one's orientation toward generation, conceptualization, implementation, and optimization of knowledge. Preliminary tests with 130 businesspeople and undergraduate students indicate high…

Beliefs about mathematics of 26 junior and senior high school students were explored using interviews conducted before and after exposure to problem-solving software. A concept model of subjects' general beliefs about mathematics and their relationships was developed. Data analysis did not indicate any change in beliefs about mathematics following…

Approaches to managing conflict in the collaborative process are discussed, along with the need for collaboration in schools. Collaboration by teachers, administrators, parents, and others can help identify problems, consider relevant data, plan and implement interventions, and evaluate results. However, the knowledge, experience, and values of…

The "Competent Group Communicator" is an assessment tool designed to evaluate the performance of individual members who participate in task-oriented small group discussions. This instrument is designed to be used to evaluate the performance of students enrolled in a small group communication course, as a course placement tool, as a pre-…