In Canada, as in other Western countries, solving word problems has comprised an important part of mathematics curricula. Traditionally, arithmetic thinking has largely been privileged as the main strategy for solving word problems at the elementary level, thus postponing the introduction of algebraic thinking to the secondary school. Drawing on…

Clinical reasoning is a central skill in diagnosing cases. However, diagnosing a clinical case poses several challenges that are inherent to solving multifaceted ill-structured problems. In particular, when solving such problems, the complexity stems from the existence of multiple paths to arriving at the correct solution (Lajoie, 2003). Moreover,…

The requirement for a method of capturing problem solving on a whiteboard for later replay stems from my teaching load, which includes two classes of first-year university general physics, each with relatively large class sizes of approximately 80-100 students. Most university-level teachers value one-to-one interaction with the students and find…

Three classrooms of Grade 4 students from different schools and diverse backgrounds collaborated in early algebra research to solve a series of linear and quadratic generalizing problems. Results revealed that high- and low-achieving students were able to solve problems of recognized difficulty. We discuss Knowledge Building principles and…

This submission contains the Proceedings of the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG), held at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland. The CMESG is a group of mathematicians and mathematics educators who meet annually to discuss mathematics education issues at all levels of learning.…

Research on help seeking with a computer coach providing on-demand help has not produced fully adequate models of the process from a cognitive perspective. The present study postulates a model of help seeking from a cognitive perspective and tests this model in a learning situation characterized as problem-based and computer-supported. The…

Two studies examined the effectiveness of self-instruction training via a specially developed computer program to modify the impulsive problem-solving behavior of 16 deaf and 10 learning disabled (aphasic) adolescents attending two special residential schools in Canada. In the control condition, students learned the Apple LOGO computing language…

This paper describes the Vitrine 2001, a dynamic multi-machine, multi-software computer-based learning environment which, through its emphasis on problem solving and process learning, takes the learner's interests, competencies, strengths, and weaknesses as its starting point. It is noted that the goal of the project is to undertake research…

This study was undertaken to examine the status of computer-based instruction in Vancouver secondary schools which is categorized as computer-science courses or traditional courses which use the computer merely as a problem-solving and learning aid. Then schools participated in an examination of the computer-science courses. This aspect of the…

This guide to a 4-unit, required high school computer science course emphasizes problem solving and computer programming and is designed for use with a variety of hardware configurations and programming languages. An overview covers the program rationale, goals and objectives, program design and description, program implementation, time allotment,…

This teacher resource manual has been developed to assist classroom teachers in implementing the Integrated Occupational Mathematics program for grades 8 and 9. The first chapter of this manual gives an introduction including resources and scope/sequence. The next two chapters describe the overviews and instructional strategies of the grade 8 and…

This study examined cognitive processes and outcomes associated with student knowledge base development. Sixty-nine students from two grade 8 classes were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a knowledge base development (KBD) group, a problem-solving software group, and a control group. Those in the KBD group received relevant instruction…

A survey of 114 U.S. and Canadian medical schools gathered information about the content, organization, and teaching methods of microanatomy courses. Results suggest the courses are relatively conventional, with development of computer-assisted instruction being impeded by availability of other, less-expensive self-instructional tools.…

The directory provides reviews of 50 software programs approved for educational use in Alberta (Canada) schools. Each program was reviewed by two teachers with the purpose of determining the specific populations of special needs students (including the gifted) that the programs would be suitable for and the approximate grade level with which the…

These conference proceedings include two invited lectures, four working group reports, seven reports from topic groups, one ad hoc presentation paper, a list of participants and a list of previous proceedings. The invited lectures were: "Mathematics Education and Technology" (Christine Keital); and "All One System" (Lynn A.…