Engineering Practices Introductory Course Sequence (EPICS) is designed to introduce freshmen and sophomores to skills of self education and open-ended problem solving so that high levels of competence can be obtained. Rationale for the program, description of theme projects (including management and instruction), and pilot program evaluation are…

Australia's competitive success with innovation-based products and services is an influential factor to its long-term prosperity. This study examines the role of vocational education and training (VET) and occupations in innovative industries and firms. The authors find VET is vital to developing knowledge and practical skills across a broad range…

Describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a transportation curriculum module (focusing on community transportation and on global impact of one's individual transportation decisions). Results indicate that the module, which consists of five units, can succeed in improving student attitudes, values, and skill development. (JN)

An empirical study was carried out to explore effects of three sets of schedules developed by Edgar Stones as guidelines conducive to student learning. Guidelines for concept teaching, psychomotor skill development, and teaching problem solving formed the instructional framework for teaching 11-year-old children the principles of navigational…

Describes a structured group designed for families that include adolescents. The workshop, "Improving Familytalk": (1) assesses communication skills and weaknesses in families, (2) teaches improved communication skills, (3) applies skills by talking about problems and expectations, and (4) teaches how to build positive aspects of family life. (JAC)

Describes a group training program for teaching social skills to juveniles on probation. The program teaches eight skills: giving positive feedback, giving negative feedback, accepting negative feedback, resisting peer pressure, problem-solving, negotiation, following instructions, and conversation. An eight-month follow-up showed good retention…

Discusses how greater student diversity and rapid changes in the field of psychology increase the need for individualized, innovative teaching methods and continued professional growth. Future psychology curricula should stress information-gathering skills, problem solving, and effective communication. (AM)

Studied high-school sophmores, who through group training, were given contraceptive information, steps for solving problems, and practice in communicating decisions about sexual behavior. Compared with untrained, control-condition teenagers, trained teenagers had more positive postest scores on measures of sexual knowledge, interpersonal problem…

Discusses the development of soft skills such as management and sales or collaborative problem solving through the use of interactive distance education. Highlights include performance support, including interpersonal skills; long-term cognitive restructuring; and linking training to organizational goals. (Author/LRW)

Highlights research findings regarding technology's effects on student learning as determined by the Center for Applied Research in Education Technology (CARET). Topics include achievement in content area learning; higher-order thinking and problem-solving skill development; workforce preparation; and using technology in conjunction with…

South African experiments with an intervention in university chemistry instruction are critiqued for their poor descriptions of the method, problems with research methodology and data, reliability and validity issues, and assumptions made about application of the intervention. The intervention, Academic Support Programs (ASP), taught…

Educational gymnastics uses a problem-solving approach to accommodate multiple correct solutions to open-ended movement problems in gymnastics. A four-stage framework is outlined to help teachers systematically increase and decrease task difficulty in educational gymnastics. Answers to common questions about educational gymnastics are provided.…

Discussed are the limitations of teaching general problem-solving strategies and techniques and their relationship to transfer of learning. The lack of evidence for effective teaching strategies, curriculum reform ramifications, and alternative teaching techniques are considered. (KR)

The article describes typical conceptual problems that limit adolescents and young adults with learning disabilities in their efforts to become financially responsible. In a case study format, five money management problems are presented and resolved, including organizing financial records, budgeting, reconciling bank statements, and dividing…

Describes study of high school students that was conducted to determine whether instruction in a second programing language helps produce transfer of problem solving skills. The six dependent variables used in the study are discussed; pretests and posttests are described; and suggestions are made for further research. (36 references) (Author/LRW)