Quantitative reasoning and interdisciplinary skills are central to real-world environmental problem solving. Enhancing those skills for students in environmental programs will help them succeed as future environmental professionals. This paper describes an approach that uses an applied geophysical imaging course to enhance quantitative reasoning…

The ability to solve physics problems that require multiple concepts from across the physics curriculum--"synthesis" problems--is often a goal of physics instruction. Three experiments were designed to evaluate the effectiveness of two instructional methods employing worked examples on student performance with synthesis problems; these…

Gal'perin's instructional theory of problem solving is described. This theory of stage-by-stage formation of mental actions was chosen as a theoretical basis for the construction and evaluation of courses in higher education, particularly in science and technology. A Programme of Actions and Methods (PAM) for problem solving in science,…