Cognitive theories of problem solving and cognitive psychologists' suggestions for teaching problem solving are reviewed. Theories and suggestions from creativity research are also considered. How high proficiency levels in problem solving are acquired and how best to teach problem-solving skills (for both well- and ill-structured problems) are…

The troubleshooting flow chart is a tool used in a "contributions" course for student teachers that served to make educational psychology and sociology relevant for teaching practice. Theoretical aspects of this approach are discussed. (DF)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of forum discussion embedded within metacognitive guidance on mathematical literacy. In particular the study compares two learning environments: (a) Forum discussion with metacognitive guidance (FORUM+META); and (b) Forum discussion without metacognitive guidance (FORUM). Participants…

In contrast to the traditional top-down approach, a bottom-up approach is proposed by current reform in mathematics education. According to this alternative proposal, algorithmizing is the activity in which students should be involved. What can we do when we want to enact such an algorithmizing approach in a classroom and our students have already…

This book contains a collection of fraction lessons that support curriculum and instruction. The goals of the lessons are to give all students the chance to learn how to: (1) name fractional parts of wholes and sets; (2) represent fractional parts using the standard notation including proper fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers, and…

This digest discusses promoting self-determination in students with disabilities. It begins by describing self-determination and explains why self-determination is important for these students. Teaching strategies are then provided for students at the elementary and secondary levels. For students in early elementary grades, educators are urged to…

This study examines the use of question prompts and peer interactions as scaffolding strategies to help undergraduate students with their problem-solving processes on an ill-structured task. The mixed research method, combining both experimental and comparative multiple-case studies, was used to study the outcomes as well as the processes of…

For the past three years, we have been investigating the implications of testing on students in elementary mathematics classrooms throughout the state of NJ. Our research, and the work of others, indicates that the impact of testing depends on many factors, not the least of which involves how teachers prepare their students for the test. In this…

Projects are extended pieces of work completed over a period of time. They provide contexts for the assessment of general skills, as well as the ability to apply subject-specific knowledge and skills. Some of the general skills that projects demonstrate are collecting and organizing information, solving problems, working in a group, and…

Design technology integrates problem solving with an awareness of the effects of technology on society and the environment. This book places problem solving in a realistic context and addresses situations that are meaningful to students. Design technology aims to develop confidence in problem solving and competence in using technology wisely. This…

This study examined the effects of a schema-based direct instruction strategy on the addition and subtraction word problem solving performance of three third- and fourth-grade students with learning disabilities. An adapted multiple probe across subjects design was used. The intervention involved training students to distinguish…

This study examined the differential effects of two instructional strategies on the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of mathematical word problem solving by students with learning disabilities: an explicit schema-based problem solving strategy (SBI) and a traditional general heuristic instructional strategy (TI). Twenty-two middle…

This book introduces journal-writing prompts in mathematics for Algebra I. Content prompts, attitudinal or affective prompts, and process prompts are presented. Each of the content prompts relates or connects topics within and outside of mathematics, targeting important or meaningful concepts and skills. The content prompts also provide situations…

This book introduces journal-writing prompts in mathematics for geometry. Content prompts, attitudinal or affective prompts, and process prompts are presented. Each of the content prompts relates or connects topics within and outside of mathematics, targeting important or meaningful concepts and skills. The content prompts also provide situations…

This paper describes efforts to introduce teachers to three aspects of problem-based learning: (1) learning cases; (2) student-centered learning; and (3) small group cooperative learning. Problem-based learning was woven into the design of professional development institutes because of the organizers' idea that as teachers grow professionally in a…