Suggestions are offered for using computers to solve scientific problems rather than focusing on computer science itself. Suggested are scientific language programming, assembly-language programming, and logical design and business language programming. A summary of available equipment and some suggestions for program implementation are included.…

The Portable Patient Problem Pack (P4), a method of simulating a patient's problem in a card deck format, is designed to develop the student's problem-solving or diagnostic skills in a manner consistent with the skills of the practicing clinician. Its effectiveness at McMaster University is reported. (LBH)

Norma Kuder's teaching career was in jeopardy. Her personal life had been a mess for a long time, and it affected her teaching. Her principal believed that Norma didn't belong in teaching, and he warned her that her contract might not be renewed. Discusses how intelligent action by the school counselor, the principal, and fellow teachers saved a…

Authors express their concern for the children whose identities, still so much in the process of growth, are under great pressure from teachers who engage in classroom versions of encounter groups. (Editor/RK)

The Center for Community Organization and Area Development prods residents of a tri-state area to understand their problems and then stirs them to come up with solutions. (Editor)

Suggests a method in which the combined insights and skills of secondary school staffs can be mobilized to support those teachers faced with problem behavior. Shows how this can generate greater effectiveness in a school as a whole, so that only a minority of children might require resources outside the school. (Editor/RK)

Recent doctoral dissertation research about the gifted population is summarized. Topics include: "appropriate" education; social and psychological perceptions; depression and underachievement in gifted high school males; problem solving skills; behavior differences between academically gifted achievers and academically gifted nonachievers; and…

Discusses the benefits of discovery learning, as opposed to a direct, lecture method, and offers 10 discovery strategies, such as playing 20 questions, using the Socratic method, and problem solving. (JC)

Effective family problem solving was studied in 97 families of elementary-school-aged children with definite- and indefinite-solution tasks. Incentive and task independence were manipulated. It was found that definitions of effective problem solving based on directly observed measures of group interaction were more valid than definitions based on…

Reviews a computerized monitoring system for distance education students at Athabasca University designed to solve the problems of tracking student performance. A pilot project for tutors is described which includes an electronic conferencing system and electronic mail, and an evaluation currently in progress is briefly discussed. (LRW)

Offers perspectives and specific ways of developing and nurturing critical and creative problem-solving skills with engineering students. Provides examples of exercises and approaches that aim in stimulating creativity and in providing understanding of course material. (ML)

Memory is the primary mechanism of modern education. Despite memory's importance in other ways, it is not the primary tool for solving problems, making theories or plotting courses of action. Students should be taught how to separate trivial from important information by using critical judgments, ethical standards, and logic. (MLW)

Describes an introductory geology course for non-science majors that focuses on problem solving and group dynamics at The Ohio State University. Reviews its format and contents and compares it with other course options for non-science majors. Includes evaluative comments and provides a listing of group studies project topics. (ML)

A child with a serious disability can have an extensive emotional impact on the family. A case study of the parents of a disabled child describes the demands imposed on them by therapeutic programs and the use of counseling to focus on their marriage and their problem-solving styles. (JDD)

Identifies problems with much of the early drill and practice software, and describes the development of a software package designed to assist with mastery learning in chemistry. The discussion covers features of the different programs and their effect on student performance. (CLB)