Multiple Solution Methods for Teaching Science in the Classroom

Multiple Solution Methods for Teaching Science in the Classroom
Author: Stephen DeMeo
Publisher: Universal-Publishers
Total Pages: 303
Release: 2008
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1599429888

For the first time in science education, the subject of multiple solution methods is explored in book form. While a multiple method teaching approach is utilized extensively in math education, there are very few journal articles and no texts written on this topic in science. Teaching multiple methods to science students in order to solve quantitative word problems is important for two reasons. First it challenges the practice by teachers that one specific method should be used when solving problems. Secondly, it calls into question the belief that multiple methods would confuse students and retard their learning. Using a case study approach and informed by research conducted by the author, this book claims that providing students with a choice of methods as well as requiring additional methods as a way to validate results can be beneficial to student learning. A close reading of the literature reveals that time spent on elucidating concepts rather than on algorithmic methodologies is a critical issue when trying to have students solve problems with understanding. It is argued that conceptual understanding can be enhanced through the use of multiple methods in an environment where students can compare, evaluate, and verbally discuss competing methodologies through the facilitation of the instructor. This book focuses on two very useful methods: proportional reasoning (PR) and dimensional analysis (DA). These two methods are important because they can be used to solve a large number of problems in all of the four academic sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science). This book concludes with a plan to integrate DA and PR into the academic science curriculum starting in late elementary school through to the introductory college level. A challenge is presented to teachers as well as to textbook writers who rely on the single-method paradigm to consider an alternative way to teach scientific problem solving.

Problem Solving in Mathematics Education

Problem Solving in Mathematics Education
Author: Peter Liljedahl
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2016-06-27
Genre: Education
ISBN: 3319407309

This survey book reviews four interrelated areas: (i) the relevance of heuristics in problem-solving approaches – why they are important and what research tells us about their use; (ii) the need to characterize and foster creative problem-solving approaches – what type of heuristics helps learners devise and practice creative solutions; (iii) the importance that learners formulate and pursue their own problems; and iv) the role played by the use of both multiple-purpose and ad hoc mathematical action types of technologies in problem-solving contexts – what ways of reasoning learners construct when they rely on the use of digital technologies, and how technology and technology approaches can be reconciled.

21st Century Skills

21st Century Skills
Author: Bernie Trilling
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 263
Release: 2012-02-07
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1118157060

This important resource introduces a framework for 21st Century learning that maps out the skills needed to survive and thrive in a complex and connected world. 21st Century content includes the basic core subjects of reading, writing, and arithmetic-but also emphasizes global awareness, financial/economic literacy, and health issues. The skills fall into three categories: learning and innovations skills; digital literacy skills; and life and career skills. This book is filled with vignettes, international examples, and classroom samples that help illustrate the framework and provide an exciting view of twenty-first century teaching and learning. Explores the three main categories of 21st Century Skills: learning and innovations skills; digital literacy skills; and life and career skills Addresses timely issues such as the rapid advance of technology and increased economic competition Based on a framework developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) The book contains a video with clips of classroom teaching. For more information on the book visit www.21stcenturyskillsbook.com.

Problem Solving in Mathematics Education

Problem Solving in Mathematics Education
Author: Torsten Fritzlar
Publisher: WTM-Verlag Münster
Total Pages: 250
Release: 2016-06-30
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 3959870132

From 3rd to 5th of September 2015 the 17th international ProMath conference (Problem Solving in Mathematics Education) took place at the Faculty of Education of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Germany). For the first time, it was combined with the annual meeting of the working group “Problem Solving” of the Society of Didactics of Mathematics. This book contains 20 peer reviewed articles of researchers from five European countries. The topics of the papers evolved around different areas of learning and problem solving. There are some theoretical papers on problem oriented mathematics instruction and specific aspects of problem solving and creativity as well as reports on detailed studies of problem solving processes of pupils and preservice teachers. Authors also present experiences with “real” problem solving instruction in different countries, considerations and teaching experiments on didactic concepts to foster pupils’ problem solving abilities, and they describe mathematically rich problem fields and their potentials for mathematical investigations in class. ProMath is a group of experienced and early career researchers in the field of mathematics education who are interested in investigating and fostering mathematical problem solving and problem oriented mathematics teaching.

How to Solve it

How to Solve it
Author: George Pólya
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2014
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 069116407X

"Polya reveals how the mathematical method of demonstrating a proof or finding an unknown can be of help in attacking any problem that can be "reasoned" out--from building a bridge to winning a game of anagrams."--Back cover.

Teaching and Learning Mathematical Problem Solving

Teaching and Learning Mathematical Problem Solving
Author: Edward A. Silver
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 671
Release: 2013-04-03
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1136561234

A provocative collection of papers containing comprehensive reviews of previous research, teaching techniques, and pointers for direction of future study. Provides both a comprehensive assessment of the latest research on mathematical problem solving, with special emphasis on its teaching, and an attempt to increase communication across the active disciplines in this area.