The teacher's role in directing science activities is examined in this book. Suggestions are offered on what teachers might do with the activities and advice is given on how the activities could be used. Each of the eight chapters contains a brief summary at the beginning, a detailed review at its close, and a list of specific guidelines for…

According to the ACT theory of skill acquisition, cognitive skills are encoded by a set of productions, which are organized according to a hierarchical goal structure. People solve problems in new domains by applying weak problem-solving procedures to declarative knowledge they have about this domain. From these initial problem solutions,…

Research indicates that novice problem solvers represent and organize knowledge differently from experts. The novice engaged in problem solving activities is of interest to educators because efficient instruction reduces the differences between initial intuitive knowledge representations and the true concepts to be mastered. A particular cognitive…

Do children and adults who are novices in their use of microcomputers differ in their approaches when learning a computer language? Ten fourth- and fifth-grade students and 10 graduate students were observed learning the language BASIC on microcomputers. All sessions were tape recorded and verbalizations subsequently coded. Verbalizations, the…

This report was part of the total scope of The Microcomputers and Middle School Problem Solving project. It employed representational models during problem solving in order to study: (1) observable patterns in self-directed use of representational models; (2) correlations between use of models and problem-solving ability; and (3) the motives of…

Although teachers may sequence instructions carefully, they are unable to respond to the complex unique experience of each individual learner. Divergent production should be an instructional choice that enables individuals to learn through their own recall and idea construction. Learning is problem solving; when individuals do not know how to deal…

Problem solving is viewed as an increasing area of interest that focuses on the theory, research, and teaching of general cognitive skills which are applicable to broad problem classes. This document gives an overview of some important aspects of the theory and research in order to identify what general cognitive skills ought to be taught. Modern…

Four books are incorporated into a volume for secondary and postsecondary teachers who wish to become familiar with experiential learning techniques. An overview on experience-based learning and the facilitative role of the teacher is presented in Book One. Book Two deals with planning with students, Book Three concerns the monitoring of student…

Since structural dimensions of knowledge and learner contribute to preferred message structure, an understanding of structural relationships can aid in the more effective design of instructional messages. Five studies were conducted to explore these relationships. Knowledge structure was defined as the iconic representation of the body of…

Studies in the past have shown that reinforcements independent of the subjects actions may induce a feeling of helplessness. Most experiments on learned helplessness have led researchers to believe that uncontrollability (non-contingency of feedback upon response) was the determining feature of learned helplessness, although in most studies…

This bibliography, made up of approximately 350 entries concerned with many aspects of problem solving and concept formation in young children, has been designed for use by people primarily involved in experimental research in these areas of child development. Entries include experimental journal articles, conference papers, unpublished research…

An introduction to a symposium on the development of adolescent schooling is followed by one of several presentations concerning current thinking about the problems involved in developing experimenting schools. The paper elaborates the basic propositions about modernization, the process of school reform seen as a process of social learning, and…

The case for behavior modification and some examples of its application in a variety of correctional settings are presented. The principles, techniques, and strategies utilized in programs designed to induce behavior change are largely determined by the model of causality to which one subscribes. A new approach to human behavior, which is the…

Differentiates between learning efficiency (enhancing the rate of learning) and learning effectiveness (enhancing the mastery and retention of facts, concepts, and relationships). Discusses some of the contributions of knowledge engineering to metalearning. Provides a concept map for constructing knowledge bases, along with some possible…

Describes the cyclical nature of a problem-solving sequence produced from observing children involved in the process. Discusses the generic qualities of science: (1) observing; (2) inferring; (3) classifying; (4) predicting; (5) controlling variables; and (6) hypothesizing. Explains the processes in use and advantages of a process-led course. (RT)