Computer-Based Learning Environments and Problem Solving

Most would agree that the acquisition of problem-solvingability is a primary goal of education. The emergence of thenew information technologiesin the last ten years hasraised high expectations with respect to the possibilitiesof the computer as an instructional tool for enhancingstudents' problem-solving skills. This volume is the first to assemble, review, and discussthe theoretical, methodological, and developmental knowledgerelating to this topical issue in a multidisciplinaryconfrontation of highly recommended experts in cognitivescience, computer science, educational technology, andinstructional psychology. Contributors describe the most recent results and the mostadvanced methodological approaches relating to theapplication of the computer for encouraging knowledgeconstruction, stimulating higher-order thinking and problemsolving, and creating powerfullearning environments forpursuing those objectives. The computer applications relateto a variety of content domains and age levels.