9316888 Becker This award supports participation of five US mathematics educators in a joint US-China-Japan seminar on mathematical problem solving. The seminar will be held in China in October 1993. Papers and discussion at the seminar will deal with the present states of problem solving research in the three countries: comparison of student performance in problems solving, including word problems and language factors; mathematical model making in problem solving; students' consciousness of the processes which are used in solving problems and arriving at solutions; pre and in-service teacher education; assessment and evaluation of learning in teaching/learning problem solving; technology use in problem solving; and analyses of the goals of mathematics education when emphasis is placed on problem solving and technology use. Factors and issues that promote educational achievement in problem solving will be identified. This seminar holds promise for advancement of knowledge since Japanese and Chinese researchers have strong interests in problem solving research, and have produced important work in the area. The noted success of the educational systems in Japan and Asia will be explored in the area of math education, providing a basis for future collaboration and exchange of research findings.
