Empirical and theoretical evidence is presented to support the conclusion that improvement of learning ability is an important and viable educational goal. The improvement of learning ability necessitates development not only of specific learning skills, but also an executive control mechanism that automatically accesses and combines learning…

This activity consists of two problem situations, each illustrating how a computer can be used as a tool to assist students in solving mathematical problems. In one, numerous calculations are performed by the computer; the second uses a Monte Carlo model to simulate a physical action. (MNS)

A comparison of three instructional methods (frontal lecture strategies, mastery learning strategies, and experiential mastery learning strategies) in a paramedical course showed that frontal lecture produced the highest scores on the lower mental process subtest while experiential mastery learning produced the highest scores on all measures of…

Discusses procedures used throughout history to solve fractional and decimal divisor problems. Early rules and definitions, approaches in mathematics and methods books, "new math" approaches, research findings, and recent textbook procedures are included. Concludes by presenting nine recommendations for teaching the operation. (DH)

Use of calculators for teaching percent to first-year general mathematics students is explained by addressing such areas as sequence of lessons, teaching/learning problems, calculator errors, and recommended instructional strategies. Teaching concepts independent of calculator usage, not using special percentage keys, and initiating estimation as…

Describes: (1) a computation-oriented problem with procedures and some questions that might be asked of students; (2) four ways to help students develop positive problem-solving attitudes; (3) a strategy game; (4) a multiplication problem; and (5) several questions that will help students develop problem-solving skills. (JN)

The need to provide understandable problems and ways to help children understand problems are explored. An interview with a sixth grader depicts his incorrect strategies and leads to suggestions for teaching problem solving using a range of mathematical models for each operation. (MNS)

Learning activities regarding the future that can help high school students develop problem-solving skills and foster in them a feeling of stimulation and challenge when confronting change are described. (RM)

Female education majors in a physical science course were given a set of tasks analogous to a given, solved prototype-task to investigate how transfer items were handled. Also used a conceptual model along with the solved prototype and a general procedure for applying the conceptual model to the transfer items. (Author/JN)

Studies addressing the efficacy of specific procedures for training teachers in behavior modification are reviewed. Didactic training is an ineffective method when used alone but may be a necessary component when used with other methods. Support was found for using role playing alone and combined with modeling, feedback, and reinforcement.…

Critiqued is the article, "Teacher as Shaman: An Educational Criticism," (Studies in Art Education, v25 n1), containing a case study of an art teacher who employs performance-based ritual to stimulate thinking about art's meaning and history. The problem that ethnographic researchers have conveying credibility when summarizing…

Describes various teaching strategies for journalism students, among them peer evaluation, interviewing exercises, question answering sessions, and syntactic structures. (HOD)

Presents arguments in favor of setting behavioral objectives for the social studies. A discussion of criticisms that have been made of the behavioral objective approach to curriculum development is presented. The author concludes that it is impossible to determine the success of a program without specific behavioral objectives. (Author/DB)

Research has shown that adult learners prefer a problem-solving approach to learning, rather than a subject-centered approach. This book provides a non-traditional approach to teaching and learning the basics of human resource management through a series of 125 in-basket exercises and guided questions. These exercises focus on real-life problems…

In designing and implementing the pilot program of serving principal training, the author of this paper learned the experience from what E. Bridges and P. Hallinger did but didn't imitate fully, rather, created several new strategies because Chinese principals faced different situation from their American counterparts. The pilot program introduced…