Presents a rationale for using history in policy formation. Contributions to be made by historians include analyzing past processes and weighing policy options. Concludes that the low prestige of history in policy-making areas is temporary. (Author/DB)

Describes course format, materials development, and evaluation of an introductory economics course which stressed problem solving techniques and conceptual skills instead of rote memorization of factual content. For journal availability, see SO 506 029. (AV)

Identifies basic tasks in Chinese writing reform. These include simplification of characters, spreading the use of the standard vernacular, and spreading the use of phonetic spelling. (Author/DB)

Description of the philosophy and general nature of a course at Drake University that emphasizes basic concepts of analytical thinking, including think, decompose, simplify, specify, and rethink problems. Some sample homework exercises are included. The journal is available from University of California Press, Berkeley, California 94720.…

The development of insight in medical students is considered a fundamental component of psychiatric undergraduate education. The use of an insight test at the beginning and end of a six-week teaching program in clinical psychiatry showed a significant increase in insight as measured by this test. (Author/LBH)

Dependency on counselors is reduced and problem solving enhanced for rehabilitation clients by a positive analytical approach, instead of negative constructive criticism.'' (AG)

Reports on the winning tool creations by 1,300 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in the 1997 Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program. Students had to use mechanical and science process skills to design and build tools to meet their needs in solving a problem. The winning entry was a calibrated angle and depth scissors. (AIM)

Reports on a study that focused on three teachers and their ways of teaching problem solving. Findings indicate that the participants unconsciously constructed personal metaphors that became the basis of their conceptualization of problems. "Community", "adventure" and "game" were the key metaphors. The outcome…

Examined the effects of group loyalty and distortion tendencies during a nominal grouping exercise involving 42 members of a management team in a decision-making seminar, divided into 5 groups to generate ideas on developing a program of flextime scheduling. Results showed distortion of judgment resulting from in-group loyalty in both…

The discovery of penicillin is cited in a discussion of the role of serendipity as it relates to scientific discovery. The importance of sagacity as a personality trait is noted. Successful researchers have questioning minds, are willing to view data from several perspectives, and recognize and appreciate the unexpected. (JW)

Pullout pages provide suggestions for teaching elementary students at all levels about the wonders of human ingenuity. The suggestions help students see that great ideas come from the need to solve real-life problems and that one great idea leads to another, so current inventions help predict future inventions. (SM)

This paper describes how secondary teachers can use the Purdue Three-Stage Model as a framework for instruction that facilitates talent development in both heterogenous and homogenous classrooms. In the first two stages, students master the core content of a discipline and practice thinking creatively and critically about the content. In the third…

A design group needs to sift through confusion, come together, and converse as a team before it can be productive in design tasks. At the 1994 Fuschl Conversation on Systems Design, the metaphor of lighting a fire was used to symbolize this coming together; three tables examine the relationships between the metaphor and starting a design…

Argues that students should continuously question the purpose of their daily classroom activities and assignments. Explains that when students are required to consider purpose, they begin to develop important intellectual skills, and to bring relevance to their critical thinking and daily life. (NB)