In this paper, the first section of a three-part article, the author discusses applications of mathematical theories in business situations. He explores the use of logic and networks in counting and accounting problems. (SD)

Tasks administered to sixty females 60-120 months of age show that it is possible to test for Piagetian logic by using problems structured in a social context and also suggest that the order of acquisition of logical operations with social stimuli is consistent with the order which has been established with the use of physical stimuli. (Author/CS)

Critical thinking encompasses the recognition of significant problems within a particular knowledge domain, the ability to systematically evaluate data through the application of various schema, the ability to suspend personal evaluative biases, and the ability to construct, test, and communicate a final solution. Critical thinking is a skill…

This paper describes the Structure-Mapping Engine (SME), a cognitive simulation program for studying human analogical processing. SME is based on Gentner's Structure-Mapping theory of analogy, and provides a "tool kit" for constructing matching algorithms consistent with this theory. This flexibility enhances cognitive simulation studies by…

Aspects of chess relevant to certain educational issues are explored. Based on findings from a sample of about 50 children from 6 to 18 years of age, discussion focuses on (1) how children play chess and how the process of acquiring expertise differs among children and adults, (2) chess training techniques and why they are effective with children,…

Students and instructors may be frustrated with students' lack of understanding of sociological concepts. We suggest that the difficulty of teaching and learning sociology is that sociological concepts and relationships require the use of abstract reasoning patterns. Many students are unaccustomed to using these abstract reasoning patterns. We use…

As a consequence of studies indicating that students' ability to think can be improved through direct instruction, this booklet presents one approach to teaching thinking skills within the context of existing curricula--a model described as the "inclusion process." The booklet discusses what thinking skills should be taught and how to…

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of inducing bilinguals to use both of their languages to read, study, and recall information from a passage of expository text. The subjects were 80 French-English bilinguals who read a passage in either English or French and took notes in either language. They then completed tests of free recall…

When using outside sources in their writing, students must learn to balance efficiency with effectiveness. In other words, they must express themselves clearly and quickly, providing readers with enough explicit information to create a causal chain based on reasonable inferences. Yet they must guard against being overly explicit, boring their…

A new item type was developed, incorporating features of "ill-structured" problems in a multiple-choice format. The problems are similar to previously developed scientific thinking tasks in requiring the examinee to go beyond the information provided; they resemble a variant of the logical reasoning item type, but demand somewhat more structuring…

Although the critical thinking movement is a significant trend in both philosophy and teaching, there are certain points of view within the movement which have the potential for undermining its success. One of these developments, conceptual scheme talk, is contradictory to any intelligible notion of critical thinking. Believers in this concept…

Topics and issues which are central features of current secondary school economics curricula can be used to develop two aspects of students' thinking skills: (1) the development of problem-solving skills, and (2) the recognition of logical fallacies. The efficacy of economics instruction as a vehicle for developing student problem-solving skills…

On the basis of implications drawn from Piagetian theory, an approach to first-grade arithmetic which eliminated instruction and used only two kinds of activities (situations in daily living and group games) was implemented in an experimental context. Situations in daily living and group games, in contrast to "mechanical" worksheet…

In relating brain hemisphere differences to education and educational administration, the author reviews literature on the issue and discusses the concepts involved. For background, he briefly goes over the history of brain and cognition studies and the advent of "split-brain" studies and the "triune" brain theory. Definitions…

It is suggested that the foreign language teacher's role is not to answer questions about the logic of the language but to persuade students to use it. A response of a friendly "Because!," without apology, and sometimes with a comment about the occasional lack of logic or consistency in English grammar or constructions, is recommended.…