Two experiments were performed to determine whether practice on less complex problems, either smaller size or in familiar context, produces a strategy that transfers to similar but more complex problems. Practice on familiar problems was no more effective than practice on unfamiliar for transfer to another unfamiliar context for all sizes. (Author)

This paper describes the rule-assessment approach to cognitive development. The basic question that motivated the rule-assessment approach is how people's existing knowledge influences their ability to learn. Research using the rule-assessment approach is summarized in terms of eight conclusions, each illustrated with empirical examples.…

Effects of an intervention that combined self-instruction with multiple exemplar training on the generalized problem solving of five high school students with mental retardation were examined. The intervention involved preteaching self-instruction to proficiency with one exemplar before introducing multiple exemplars and embedding problem…

A metacognition model that can help understand general problem-solving deficits in learning disabled students is presented. Two components of metacognition are highlighted: executive processes and attributional beliefs. An educational package combining these components with specific strategy training is illustrated as an approach to improving…

The generality of academic self-efficacy judgments was examined among 588 high school students who rated their confidence for problem solving. A first-order model with a separate self-efficacy factor for each school subject displayed the best fit, so that verbal and quantitative self-efficacy were more meaningful than general academic…

The 10th International Conference on Educational Data Mining (EDM 2017) is held under the auspices of the International Educational Data Mining Society at the Optics Velley Kingdom Plaza Hotel, Wuhan, Hubei Province, in China. This years conference features two invited talks by: Dr. Jie Tang, Associate Professor with the Department of Computer…

The spontaneous use of analogies in problem-solving occurs when a subject first spontaneously shifts his attention to a situation (B) which differs in some significant way from an original problem situation (A), and then tries to apply findings from B to A. This paper describes research on the process with 10 scientifically trained subjects…

Five steps common to different problem solving models are listed. Next, seven specific abilities related to solving problems are discussed and examples given. Sample activities, appropriate to help in developing these specific abilities, are suggested. (LS)

It is conjectured that some skill entering into problem solving in physics courses might be responsible for making these courses so difficult. This might be the case if one or more basic problem-solving skills could not be mastered in the time and practice available. In order to test this hypothesis, a model of the way in which students solve…

The nature of insight is discussed as it relates to mathematical models. Intuition and the intuitively obvious are argued to have no necessary connection with models. (MP)

Third grade children were trained in component processes of problem solving strategies and were subsequently tested on ability to transfer the strategies to novel situations. Results indicate that, contrary to the Piagetian position, generalizable problem solving strategies were acquired at this age level. (Author/GO)

Discussed are generalizations and problem solving, unsound uses of generalizations, generalization as data, and student discovery of generalizations. (CT)

Describes students' generalization strategies and justifications as they engage in patterning activities. (YDS)