Analyzes the notion of structuring resources and their role in shaping mathematical activity. Examines ways in which nurses conceptualize ratio and proportion problems and provides a case study of two nurses discussing conflicting strategies when monitoring the fluid balance of a patient. Draws out some implications for the design of viable…

Offers strategies for teaching students in all grades self-regulation skills for the purposes of behavior change. Discusses the importance of facilitating generalization, components of self-regulation, steps of self-regulation, selecting a target behavior, graphing and record keeping, and benefits and potential of teaching self-regulation skills.…

Introduces a technique for developing tasks suitable for group investigation where students work from sets of numerical examples toward making generalizations. (ASK)

Describes the use of literature analysis with a social decision-making (SDM) paradigm in the English classroom to build problem-solving and decision-making skills among middle grade students. Provides an annotated bibliography of appropriate books, describes how to use an SDM paradigm to analyze literature, and answers common questions about the…

Critical review of the literature on problem-based learning (PBL) in medical education focuses on: (1) the credibility of claims (both empirical and theoretical) about the ties between PBL and educational outcomes and (2) the magnitude of the effects. Concludes there is no convincing evidence that PBL improves knowledge base and clinical…

Describes an evaluation project that aimed to assess the potential of two elementary science specialists, as compared to elementary classroom teachers, to realize the reforms vision for science instruction in elementary classrooms. Indicates that specialists' views and practices were better aligned with those envisioned by current national reform…

Explains why it is important for chemistry educators to know about metacognition, provides some examples to illustrate main points, and discusses some instructional tools that have been employed to promote metacognition in introductory science courses. (Contains over 50 references.) (WRM)

Presents a conceptual foundation for using concept mapping as a cognitive learning strategy and as a method for assessing structural knowledge; reviews the growing body of research related to both applications. Describes some of the conceptual and empirical limitations of concept mapping. (Author/AEF)

Explores student ability to differentiate and make mappings between quantities in different domains before and after a relevant curricular experience. Contends that conceptual bootstrapping involves a multistepped mapping process that is facilitated through classroom dialog, problem solving, and instruction. (Author/DKM)

Richmond (Vermont) Elementary School offers a workshop in elementary-school mathematics for parents. By refreshing their math skills, parents are better able to help their children at home. Many parents who learned math through rote memorization do not understand current approaches to problem solving, such as drawing pictures, making charts,…

Presents the views of different members of "The Creativity Group" at Teachers College, Columbia University, on the importance of creative thinking and how teachers can provide conditions for continuous encouragement of the creative process. The importance of creative thinking, planning, and implementation for good teaching is emphasized.…

Introduces a role playing activity that actively engages students in the learning process of mitosis. Students play either chromosomes carrying information, or cells in the cell membrane. (Contains 11 references.) (Author/YDS)

This paper answers several frequently asked questions about constructivism, including how to define it, how to plan the curriculum, how to assess student understanding, what to do with the information, where to begin, how students work in a constructivist classroom, and why constructivism is important. (SM)

This article offers guidelines and suggestions for adapting mathematics instruction when teaching students with learning disabilities in the general classroom. Techniques for teaching computational skills, solving algorithms, and problem solving are offered. General techniques include increasing instructional time, varying group size, and using…

Describes the Evening Science program, a science enrichment program for K-6 students and their parents where students and parents engage in problem-solving activities that encourage science learning for the whole family. (JRH)