The Comparison of Students’ Self-Assessment, Gender, and Programming-Oriented Spreadsheet Skills

Previous research proved that teaching spreadsheeting from a programming perspective is much more effective than the widely accepted tool-centered surface approach methods. Spreadsheeting as an introductory programming approach allows students to build up schemata leading to contextualized, concept-based problem-solving. Furthermore, it provides tools for real-world problem-solving in other disciplines, and supports knowledge-transfer to database management and “serious” programming. The present study provides the details of a nationwide testing of Grades 7–10 students on how they evaluate their spreadsheet knowledge, which classroom activities form their self-assessment values, and the results of three spreadsheet tasks evaluated by the SOLO categories of understanding. The comparison reveals that most students’ spreadsheet knowledge is pre-structural. On the other hand, they assess themselves much higher, which is primarily based on the number of activities carried out in classes. Traces of conscious problem-solving and knowledge-transfer within the scope of spreadsheeting are hardly detectable, while knowledge brought from mathematics is recognizable. In general, we found proof that the pieces of knowledge remain unconnected, not allowing students to reach the relational level of understanding and build up long-lasting knowledge.

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Systems theories

10.1093/oso/9780198793182.003.0008 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Marc J. Stern

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Natural Resources ◽

Real World ◽

Common Pool Resources ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Effective Governance ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Real World Problem

This chapter covers systems theories relevant to understanding and working to enhance the resilience of social-ecological systems. Social-ecological systems contain natural resources, users of those resources, and the interactions between each. The theories in the chapter share lessons about how to build effective governance structures for common pool resources, how to facilitate the spread of worthwhile ideas across social networks, and how to promote collaboration for greater collective impacts than any one organization alone could achieve. Each theory is summarized succinctly and followed by guidance on how to apply it to real world problem solving.

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Preparing Biomedical Engineers For Real World Problem Solving

10.18260/1-2--9662 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

David Kelso ◽

John D. Enderle ◽

Kristina Ropella

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Real World ◽

Real World Problem

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From Abstraction to Implementation: Can Computational Thinking Improve Complex Real-World Problem Solving? A Computational Thinking-Based Approach to the SDGs

Information and Communication Technologies for Development - IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-59111-7_10 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 104-116

Author(s):

Maryam Rabiee ◽

A Min Tjoa

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Real World ◽

Computational Thinking ◽

Real World Problem

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Real-World Problem Solving from the Perspective of the Narrative Mode of Thought

Learning and Teaching Real World Problem Solving in School Mathematics ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-08204-2_6 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 93-107

Author(s):

Murad Jurdak

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Real World ◽

Real World Problem ◽

Narrative Mode

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The Effects of Elaboration in Creativity Tests as it Pertains to Overall Scores and How it Might Prevent a Person From Thinking of Creative Ideas During the Early Stages of Brainstorming and Idea Generation

Volume 7: 27th International Conference on Design Theory and Methodology ◽

10.1115/detc2015-46789 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caitlin Dippo ◽

Barry Kudrowitz

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Real World ◽

Idea Generation ◽

Occurrence Rate ◽

The Novel ◽

Strong Negative Correlation ◽

Relative Occurrence ◽

Real World Problem ◽

Creative Solutions

Previous studies have found that the first few ideas we think of for a given prompt are likely to be less original than the later ideas. In this study, 460 participants were given the Alternative Uses Test (AUT) where they were asked to list alternative uses for a paperclip, creating a database of 235 unique answers, each having a relative occurrence rate in that pool. It was found that later responses were significantly more novel than early responses and on average the originality of responses exponentially increased with quantity. A closer look at this data reveals that a person is likely to have a lower overall originality score if he or she has more elaborate responses. 89 of these participants were also given the Abbreviated Torrance Test For Adults (ATTA) and the data from both tests was used to study relationships between elaboration, fluency, and originality. The data from the AUT reveals a strong negative correlation between an individual’s average number of words per response and his or her average originality score. It is hypothesized that people who spend more time writing multiple-word responses have less time to generate many different ideas thus hindering their ability to reach the novel ideas. Similarly, the ATTA reveals that after two extraneous details, elaboration on a drawing will negatively impact fluency and originality scores. This is not to say that elaborate ideas cannot be original, but rather that in time-limited situations, elaboration may hinder the production of original ideas. In applying this to real world problem solving and idea generation, it is suggested that people may prevent themselves from finding creative solutions if too much time is spent on discussing the first few suggested ideas from a brainstorming session. It is suggested that a more effective brainstorming session will delay discussion until a significant number of ideas are generated.

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Introducing modified version of penguins search optimization algorithm (PeSOA) and its application in optimal operation of reservoir systems

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2017.217 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1484-1496 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Afshin Mansouri ◽

Babak Aminnejad ◽

Hassan Ahmadi

Keyword(s):

Genetic Algorithm ◽

Optimization Algorithm ◽

Real World ◽

Global Optimum ◽

Optimal Operation ◽

The Other ◽

Reservoir System ◽

Search Optimization ◽

Real World Problem ◽

Reservoir Systems

Abstract In the current study, modified version of the penguins search optimization algorithm (PeSOA) was introduced, and its usage was assessed in the water resources field. In the modified version (MPeSOA), the Gaussian exploration was added to the algorithm. The MPeSOA performance was evaluated in optimal operation of a hypothetical four-reservoir system and Karun-4 reservoir as a real world problem. Also, genetic algorithm (GA) was used as a criterion for evaluating the performance of PeSOA and MPeSOA. The results revealed that in a four-reservoir system problem, the PeSOA performance was much weaker than the GA; but on the other hand, the MPeSOA had better performance than the GA. In the mentioned problem, PeSOA, GA, and MPeSOA reached 78.43, 97.46, and 98.30% of the global optimum, respectively. In the operation of Karun-4 reservoir, although PeSOA performance had less difference with the two other algorithms than four-reservoir problem, its performance was not acceptable. The average values of objective function in this case were equal to 26.49, 23.84, and 21.48 for PeSOA, GA, and MPeSOA, respectively. According to the results obtained in the operation of Karun-4 reservoir, the algorithms including MPeSOA, GA, and PeSOA were situated in ranks one to three in terms of efficiency, respectively.

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