This book introduces concepts of geometry that students use throughout middle-grade and higher-level mathematics courses. These concepts, presented through the study of transformations, provide a framework for other important topics such as number, measurement, proportional reasoning, and graphing on the coordinate plane. The book is designed for…

This report describes a program for improving elementary school students ability to solve mathematical word problems. The targeted population consisted of primary, middle, and junior high students attending two different kindergarten through eighth grade schools. Both schools were located within blue collar neighborhoods in a large metropolitan…

Discusses metacognitive and associative models of children's strategy discovery and use. Contends that models based on only one type of mechanism cannot entirely account for observed variability and constraint revealed by microgenetic studies of children's strategy change. Proposes a new model of children's strategy development in which…

Combined fading with the introduction of prompts designed to encourage learners to identify the underlying principle illustrated in each worked-out solution step. Across 2 experiments, this combination produced medium to large effects on near and far transfer without requiring additional time on task. Thus, the instructional procedure is highly…

Presents responses to a problem that appeared in the April, 1999 issue of this journal. The problem involves finding kite heights compared to each other. (KHR)

Features responses to a problem that appeared in the January, 2001 issue of this journal. The problem concerned finding all of the shape combinations of two colors of blocks in four-block combinations. (KHR)

Implemented and evaluated a classroom-based research project designed to examine the impact of instruction in a question analysis strategy on the development of novice chemistry students' problem solving expertise. Results for students in 18 classrooms provide some indications that strategy instruction accompanied by strategic supports has a…

The paper discusses the degree of generality or specificity adopted in approaches to strategy instruction. The historical context of the generality-specificity dimension is described and related to the strategy instruction literature in special education, and three frameworks for conceptualization of generality-specificity are presented.…

An inquiry-oriented teacher education program entitled PROBE (Problem-Based Teacher Education) is described. The fundamental concept of PROBE is based on John Dewey's philosophy that learning is rooted in experience and knowledge derives from a process of inquiry. (JD)

Factors influencing students' interpretation of learning tasks are discussed and two qualitatively different types of student interpretation are identified--procedural and content-related. The implications for research on the alternative frameworks used by students are discussed, including the identification of different levels of alternative…

Explains the concept of environmental auditing as analogous to financial auditing, as manifested through the six guiding principles of environmental excellence, and as utilized by industrial and commercial interests. Presents a questionnaire-based method to introduce students to the techniques involved in environmental auditing. (seven references)…

Cooperative learning needs three key requirements to be successful: the development of new curriculum materials; ability to treat status problems arising in small groups; and availability of collegiality and strong organizational support. Stanford University's Program for Complex Instruction involves each group in different problem-solving tasks…

Compares a teaching program designed to enhance schema acquisition with one of worked examples, traditionally used to teach geometry. Shows that both groups of subjects had improvements in the number of problems solved, with those exposed to non-goal-specific procedures demonstrating greater rates of improvement and greater efficacy in…

Explores whether students with several years of high school science are able to represent an osmosis problem correctly. The study problem features a typical osmotic system with students expected to make a graph to show how the solution level in the stem of the funnel changes over time. (DDR)

Physics problems presented by teachers or in textbooks are usually quantitative and offer only one solution. Suggests that getting students to solve qualitative problems and confronting them with multiple solutions can help them develop conceptual understanding and robust problem-solving strategies. (Author/ASK)