Teaching can be understood as acting and deciding in a complex system. On that problem oriented mathematics instruction (POMI) can be characterized as very high complex particularly regarding to mathematical-cognitive aspects. To cope with resulting demands in the long run, the teacher has to be sensitive for this complexity. But what does this…

This case study highlights how one rural elementary school, where teachers had expressed interest in changing how things were done, provided opportunities for teachers to transform traditional teaching practices into innovative ones. This involved implementing an accelerated schools philosophy (using gifted and talented strategies for all…

An action research project, the aim of which was to bring powerful mathematics to females to help them develop a clear conceptual understanding and passion for the subject, and to nurture independent learning skills that will translate into all aspects of their lives, is discussed. This book investigated one strategy for providing girls with…

Like the earlier editions, the current text is directed at educators who are interested in understanding the principles of cognitive psychology and applying them to instruction and curriculum design. The following chapters are included: (1) "Introduction to Cognitive Psychology"; (2) "Sensory, Short-Term, and Working Memory"; (3) "Long-Term…

No longer solely the domain of Mathematics, problem solving permeates every area of today's curricula. Ideally students are applying heuristics strategies in varied contexts and novel situations in every subject taught. The ability to solve problems is a basic life skill and is essential to understanding technical subjects. Problem-solving is a…

Discussed are techniques of presentation and solution of the Classical Cake Problem. A frosted cake with a square base is to be cut into n pieces with the volume of cake and frosting the same for each piece. Needed are minimal geometric concepts and the formula for the volume of a prism. (JP)

Teacher approaches to the controversial issue of the conflict between quality of life and economic growth are suggested for elementary and secondary grade levels. (KM)

Ideas are suggested as to how teachers can help students deal intelligently with questions of value in the classroom. Steps to use in approaching the conflicting issues related to promotion of world peace are outlined. (KM)

By using analogies, artists and engineers have made many imaginative creations; moreover, when ninth-grade vocational students received training in synectics (an analogy-based technique) there was a highly significant increase in their originality and elaboration (Torrance creative-thinking tests), and their approach to shop projects and careers…

Describes a kind of final exam questions that encourage creative thinking and problem solving and involvement by the students. Five examples from a course on neoclassic literature are provided. (TO)

Considered the various problems undergraduate environmental law students face in understanding the role of law in the ecology crisis. (Author/RK)

The derivation of a method to drive the general term of a sequence is presented. The difference sequences and binomial coefficents are used in the derivation. An application of this method is made to solve Polya's problems concerned with dividing space in regions by a given number of planes. (JP)

Examples of mathematical problems which arise outside the classroom situation are presented. The author suggests that the conceiving and solving of such problems by students would be a good way to provide the students with applications of the mathematics they learn. (JP)

A mathematical model of a soccer-league competition results is set up and investigated using simple randomization techniques. The hypothesis that winning the league championship was purely luck was statistically tested. (JP)