One hundred years ago, Paul Weiss and Ludwig von Bertalanffy independently proposed that living organisms interact with their environment through systems. In the century that has followed, systems thinking and modeling have grown in tandem with discovery of the vast complexity of the universe at microscopic through astronomic levels. As our…

Engineering design activities offer the promise of enhanced learning and teaching in pre-college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) settings. The wide variation and lack of coherence in research and practice concerning pre-college engineering design challenges necessitates an investigation of the literature. The overarching…

In recent years, a number of models concerning problem solving systems have been put forward. However, many of them stress on technology and neglect the research of problem solving itself, especially the learning mechanism related to problem solving. In this paper, we analyze the learning mechanism of problem solving, and propose that when…

Suggests a method for helping students approach problems and initiate the problem-solving process. The system is a self-dialogue involving five questions: (1) what is the problem? (2) what are you to find? (3) what are the givens and the desired outcomes? (4) what is the appropriate formula? and (5) what decision is needed? (JOW)

A model for problem solving involving the use of analogical or metaphorical thinking as it applies to generalsystems synthesis is presented. (RW)

The philosophy, purpose and methods of the Creative Problem-Solving Institute are discussed. (RW)

Uses a methodology for probing systems-thinking developed and used to investigate the way children (N=35) think about the natural environment. Findings suggest that eight-year-old children are capable of this type of thinking. (DDR)

Presents a classification scheme applicable to systematic instructional design, which partitions the cognitive domain into the four levels of knowledge, understanding, mental processes, and strategies, each of which encompasses specific instructional objectives. Guidelines are offered to assist in the design and construction of these instructional…

The Systems Thinking and Curriculum Innovation (STACI) project is a multi-year research effort intended to examine the cognitive demands and consequences of learning from a systems thinking approach to instruction and from using simulation-modeling software. This study tests the potentials and effects of integrating the systems approach into…

This paper examines the effect of using a systems thinking approach in existing secondary school curricula to teach content-specific knowledge as well as general problem solving skills, and the effect of using STELLA (Structural Thinking Experimental Learning Laboratory with Animation), a simulation-modeling software program, as a tool by which to…

This book on the aspects of instructional processes focuses on control of student cognitive activity during instruction. Chapter 1 introduces the cybernetic approach to the theory of instruction. It is followed by a chapter on instructional effectiveness and efficiency. The third chapter discusses cognitive processes and thinking. Chapter 4…

A cognitive task analysis was performed to analyze the key cognitive components of the en route air traffic controllers' jobs. The goals were to ascertain expert mental models and decision-making strategies and to identify important differences in controller knowledge, skills, and mental models as a function of expertise. Four groups of…

This paper proposes four scenarios to guide future research investments by the federal Office of Special Education Programs in classroom uses of instructional technology for learners with disabilities. Sets of research and development activities to promote effective use of technology are proposed for: (1) reading instruction; (2) writing…