A unit of study that introduces sorting and classification as a way of organizing data is presented. Suitable for students in grades 2 and 3, it provides a foundation for further work in statistics and data analysis. The investigations may extend from one to five class sessions and are grouped into three parts: "Introduction to Sorting"; "Sorting…

Recent research has shown that computer technology, including databases, is becoming a part of social studies instruction. Yet it still is not clear how teachers are using databases and what are the outcomes from such use. The research reported in this document addresses three principal questions: (1) How do teachers use computer databases in…

A series of essays on science, technology and society (STS) education written for teachers are presented. The essays include: "Interactive Video: Bringing the Latest Technology into the Classroom" (Homer L. Krout II; Phillip Horton); "Hypermedia: What's All the Hype About" (Kenneth T. Wilburn); "How to Get the Most Out of…

This paper begins with a summary and analysis of Robert Glaser's arguments, presented in his paper "Education and Thinking: The Role of Knowledge," which contend there are strong interactions between structures of knowledge and cognitive processes, and that problem solving and reasoning are taught best in the context of the acquisition…

The accountability movement has forced educators to expend energys during the past few years ensuring that students master a developmental sequence of skills in the major content areas. In mathematics this has resulted in an emphasis upon computational proficiency, and, in the view of many mathematics educators, not enough time has been spent on…

The accountability movement has forced educators to expend energys during the past few years ensuring that students master a developmental sequence of skills in the major content areas. In mathematics this has resulted in an emphasis upon computational proficiency, and, in the view of many mathematics educators, not enough time has been spent on…

The problem-solving mode of teaching science implies change for teachers, administrators, state education departments, and other individuals charged with implementing educational innovation. This study provides a descriptive record and interpretation of the words and actions of an elementary school teacher beginning to learn about teaching science…

This document contains 53 plenary and contributed papers presented at the eighth Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME) meeting. Two plenary addresses focused on mathematics research in Australia and Japan, and problem solving and symbolism. Contributed papers were classified under 13 headings including: teaching and learning theory; cognition;…

This research-based review discusses effective computer applications for students with mental disabilities. Most computer-based instruction currently in use is of a drill-and-practice variety, which is needed to develop fluency in basic academic skills. Studies conducted on math fluency indicate that when students are using counting strategies to…

This research compared the performance of ninth grade females and males on flight protocol, with particular attention to interpretation of the graphs of paths of falling bodies, rolling objects, and projectiles. These subjects were chosen because they had received no formal instruction in projectile motion, yet through typical life experience, had…

This paper reviews research conducted at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan for the Agency for Instructional Technology as part of "Solutions Unlimited," eight instructional units that integrate computer software, videocassettes, and related print materials. The units are designed to improve the problem-solving skills…

A conceptual model is presented for the development of thinking skills by using an instructional model employing high level cognitive demands. "Distancing" is proposed as the concept to denote behaviors or events that separate the child cognitively from the immediate behavioral environment. Forms and functions of distancing behavior are…

While problem-based learning (PBL) has a relatively long history of successful use in medical and pre-professional schools, it has yet to be widely adopted by K--12 teachers. This may be due, in part, to the numerous challenges teachers experience when implementing PBL. In this paper, we describe specific hurdles that teachers are likely to…

This book has a threefold purpose. First, it provides a problem-solving framework for comprehensively analyzing and attacking current weaknesses in both pre- and in-service teacher education. Next, it explains how this approach can be applied by providing concrete examples of procedures and products appropriate to each of three problem-solving…

Teaching enquiry methods, that is, skills concerned with constructing knowledge from available information and searching for new information, is the subject of this study, which provides a background to the subject as well as a review of research. The study sought to answer the question of whether problem-solving performances of primary school…