Instructional design strategy for improving problem solving is presented. The strategy entails selecting an appropriate domain of problem-solving tasks, learning hierarchies, teaching methods and assembling of learning materials, and designing teacher training and evaluation. Obstacles to be overcome and directions for future research are…

Typically, subject department heads perform a middle-management role in secondary schools that is unquestioned. A Canadian study examined effects on school culture and educational practice when structure and roles are open to revision. The restructuring initiative is fostering cultural change in all eight district schools. (34 references) (MLH)

This paper draws on chaos theory to examine the potential of change within a living community. It focuses on secondary-school change in order to consider the divergent paths and the unexpected cultural adaptations that emerged when a Canadian school district required its secondary schools to revise their organizational models. Department heads…

This study examined the impact of explanation seeking on the achievement and attitudes of students in grades 7-10 learning to solve correlational reasoning problems in a cooperative learning setting. Results provided little support for explanation seeking as an achievement strategy due to students' inability to recognize when they needed help and…

Explores the relationship between (Ontario) secondary-school organizational structures and implementation of legislated change initiatives. Examines the role of individuals responsible for implementing two legislated curriculum innovations: curriculum integration and performance-based assessment. Implementing whole-school or subject-based…

This article reports data on the retention of problem-solving performance after one month, four months, and six months, in three separate studies conducted in school settings involving a variety of grades and subjects. (Author/LMO)

The absence of suitable instruments to measure scientific inquiry skills, and the inability of teachers to construct their own tests to measure mastery of science skills led the Peterborough County (Ontario) Board of Education to develop skill-oriented curriculum guidelines in response to changes in Ministry of Education priorities in science.…

This study was developed to provide advice to teachers on how to use rules in teaching experimental design in science classes. A review is presented on the use of rule in science teaching and the effects of instructional treatments are assessed on Canadian high school students' skills of experimental design. (ML)

A case study of district-level factors that enabled eight Ontario secondary schools to assume added administrative responsibilities found that after two years, district-level factors contributing to change were the actions of a steering committee, emerging professionalism in the teacher union, district history, individual personalities, and a…

A 4-year study of 9 Ontario secondary schools examined their capacity for change. Change capacity consisted of liberation from structures that inhibit innovation, honoring cognitive dissonance, and forging new relationships. Imposing new organizational structures was less likely to perpetuate change capacity than was a commitment improvement…

The attempt to integrate school curricula with social concerns is a recurring motif in North American education. Impediments to integration can be reduced by incorporating a cognitive approach to social issues analysis. The approach was tested with 4seven9 grade 7-10 students in two Ontario, Canada, school systems with positive results. (MM)

Examines change capacity within one restructuring Ontario school district, employing the notions of chaos theory and a living organization. Analyzed 5 years of longitudinal quantitative and qualitative data to understand effects of organizational change on the whole school. School leadership teams worked differently, depending on context.…

Examined patterns of giving and receiving explanations in three mixed-ability student groups (grades 7-10) working on problem-solving tasks. Groups were modeled after the cooperative learning approach, Student-Teams Achievement Divisions. Students infrequently sought explanations or received inadequate explanations, and explanation givers did not…

Previous studies of the development of correlational reasoning have focused on the interpretation of relatively simple data sets contained in 2 X 2 tables. In contrast, this study examined age trends in subjects' responses to problems involving more than two continuous variables. The research is part of a multi-year project to conceptualize…

Six papers, which comprise Part II of "Studies in Curriculum Decision Making," explore: (1) actions taken by those in nonteaching roles to facilitate teacher effectiveness; (2) how helpful these actions are likely to be; and (3) what individuals in nonteaching roles can do to assist teacher effectiveness. Interviews and questionnaires…