Problem solving and classical genetics: Successful versus unsuccessful performance

Expert-novice problem-solving research is extended in this study to include classical genetics. Eleven undergraduates (novices) and nine graduate students and instructors (experts) were videotaped as they solved moderately complex genetics problems. Detailed analysis of these “think aloud” protocols resulted in 32 common tendencies that could be used to differentiate between successful and unsuccessful problem solvers. Experts perceive a problem as a task requiring analysis and reasoning and they tend to use a knowledge-development (forward-working) approach. They make frequent checks on the correctness of their work, use accurate and detailed bookkeeping procedures, and have a broader range of heuristics to apply to the problem. It is clear that studying problem solving using the expert/novice design requires that the problems be difficult enough to require more than more recall and yet simple enough to allow novices a chance for solution. Applying elementary probability concepts seemed to be the most difficult aspect of many of the genetics problems, even for the experts.     

The System of Development Programmes on Pre-School and School Education in the Republic of Kazakhstan

This article addresses preschool education as an integral part of the general education system in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This article describes problems related to preschool and certain areas of school development, such as early childhood development, communication, socialisation, creative thinking and leadership. The three studies described below illustrate efforts to increase the early literacy of low-income pre-schoolers: Training child care providers to implement early literacy curriculum, comparing materials and coaching to support early literacy, and assessing the impact of a statewide multipronged teacher support strategy to improve early literacy. Consequently, high school has a powerful potential for developing the leadership potential of students. Because further development of society depends on people with innovative thinking, imagination, and different ideas, there is a need for an ability as well as opportunity to develop leadership within school in order to allow students to see life prospects, to achieve specific goals, and to learn independently.