The social studies curriculum travels through time and space and is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. To an outsider, the social studies curriculum is a single line on a program of studies, 45 minutes of a student's school day. Those on the inside, however, know that the field covers history, geography, civics, economics, and much…

An understanding of geologic time is comprised of 2 facets. Events in Earth's history can be placed in relative and absolute temporal succession on a vast timescale. Rates of geologic processes vary widely, and some occur over time periods well outside human experience. Several factors likely contribute to an understanding of geologic time, one of…

Describes a student project that enables students to experience problem-solving strategies and construct their own understandings of the problem-solving strategies by researching the problem-solving process itself, uncovering and defining strategies that they can subsequently use to solve problems, and exploring the impact that attitude has on…

Investigated were student problem-solving strategies in an attempt to develop a model of student performance. The problem-solving strategies used by 30 high school students were analyzed. Suggestions for improved instruction in solving genetics problems are provided. (CW)

A problem-solving approach involving systematic experimentation, one of the most-used problem-solving strategies, is advocated since it is useful beyond mathematics problems. Examples of its use are given, with two problems explored and four others noted. (MNS)

This study aimed at exploring the practices and beliefs physics teachers have about introducing reform-based instruction into the physics class. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews held with 11 experienced physics teachers. The results revealed that the teachers occasionally introduced a small number of enhanced instructional…

Constructivist theory recognizes the student's value as thinker. Thinking ability hinges on the capacity to ask and consider important questions. Teachers need question-driven problem-solving strategies that are comprehensive, adaptable, discriminating, productive, and transferable. This article explains four types of situations and accompanying…

This study on problem solving used a sample of 92 people, broken down as follows: 56 first year chemistry students, 18 Tertiary Orientation Project (T.O.P.) students, 7 H.S.C. students, 8 second year chemistry students, 2 staff members, and 1 technician. Subjects were each given four elementary organic chemistry problems. Each session consisted of…

Several games, which can be useful in the classroom for teaching problem solving strategies, are described. (SD)

The possibility of teaching students to recognize and apply problem-solving strategies used by experts is explored. (MP)

Three gifted and three learning-disabled gifted students (ages 13-15) viewed themselves on videotape solving mathematical problems and responded to questions pertaining to their problem-solving strategies. The non-learning-disabled students applied substantially more cognitive and metacognitive knowledge to the problem-solving task. (Author/DB)

Identifies the misunderstandings and problem-solving strategies of secondary students when solving stoichiometry problems. (Author/CCM)

This problem solving strategy is illustrated by examples from the fields of algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus. (MP)

Drawing the prisoner's cell after reading the Poe classic, and redrawing it after each of several passages are read, students develop problem-solving strategies. (SD)

Described is a series of computer tutorials developed to teach students a logical method of problem solving for chemistry. The structure, pedagogy, and problem-solving strategies of the computer software program are described. (CW)