Provides a set of guidelines that has been developed to aid students in meeting various reading, learning, and study needs while internalizing the fundamentals of problem solving. The code words for the steps in the suggested problem-solving process are: count, characterize, consider, collect, and create. (MKM)

Describes a new approach for increasing teaching effectiveness in the area of social studies by helping teachers recognize and nurture multiple talents in all children (Talents Unlimited). Objectives of the approach are to develop students' productive thinking, communication, forecasting, decision making, and planning skills. (DB)

An effective continuing education technique is the use of structured, learner-centered small group instruction. This format enables higher levels of learning and peer support for adults. (SK)

By engaging in philosophical discussion in their writing, freshman composition students can discover that writing is a mediating tool between the self and the objective world, a means to examine the nature of reality and their thinking processes. Introducing philosophical issues opens the door for the investigation of difficult and abstract topics…

Too often college composition students see language as an end in itself, rather than as a means to realization of self and world, and teachers need to establish a classroom environment that stimulates and demands that students use their language to find out about themselves. Techniques helpful in shaping composition classes toward this end…

Reports on a study that focused on three teachers and their ways of teaching problem solving. Findings indicate that the participants unconsciously constructed personal metaphors that became the basis of their conceptualization of problems. "Community", "adventure" and "game" were the key metaphors. The outcome…

Pullout pages provide suggestions for teaching elementary students at all levels about the wonders of human ingenuity. The suggestions help students see that great ideas come from the need to solve real-life problems and that one great idea leads to another, so current inventions help predict future inventions. (SM)

Designed for the Bringing Out Head Start Talents (BOHST) project, three sets of lesson plans focus on the development of three types of thinking processes with preschool children: (1) "detective thinking" (using clues to find the single right answer); (2) "inventor thinking" (brainstorming many answers to a single question);…

A technique to teach cognitive skills to directly facilitate abstract and rational thinking is described. Based on George Kelly's theory of personal constructs, his Role Construct Repertory Test has students construe similarities and differences among important course concepts rather than provide individual definitions or examples of those…

Describes one technical writing teacher's use of group writing projects in which students write and present a marketing report of a product they have invented. Points out that such projects teach students valuable skills in group dynamics, as well as technical writing skills. (ARH)

Today, because of the problem-solving skills necessary for successful 21st century living, students must be taught higher-order thinking skills. Principles intended to stimulate discussion about the appropriate means for teaching higher-order thinking are examined. (RM)

Heuristic models help writers recall information, sometimes revealing unique combinations of information in ways not conceived previously. This makes heuristics a valuable technique for helping beginning writers generate writing ideas. Observing that all culture is communication, Edward Hall has organized Primary Message Systems (PMS), a framework…

Discussed is the role of serendipity in the scientific method. Several examples from science history are provided. Described is the value of intuition on the part of the scientist. Six quotes from famous scientists are included. (CW)

Describes evolving trends in testing, including such topics as formative versus summative evaluations; the use of tests as a guide to instructional decision making; the need to focus on higher level cognitive skills; and the role of computers in testing. An annotated bibliography lists 10 relevant journal articles. (CLB)

Presents several components of current events instruction for the elementary classroom. These serve as criteria for teachers to diagnose their lessons. Describes three classroom scenarios and analyzes the effectiveness of current events instruction in each. Models offered for designing classroom instruction are value analysis, decision making, and…