Wales and Stager's (1972) heuristic was originally devised as a method for improving the teaching of engineering design and was given the title of 'guided design'. Koen (1985) and Wales, Nordi and Stager (1986, 1989) have claimed that the heuristics they have described may be applied generally to the teaching of higher-order thinking skills throughout the curriculum. Wales et al. (1988, 1990) have shown how their model can be applied to mathematics, nursing, social studies and writing. This study examines the usefulness of this and similar heuristics in junior and senior high-school teaching. It is concluded that the heuristic may be applied in most subjects of the curriculum and that learning may be enhanced, especially among middle-range and low achievers. The study shows how the ideas of engineering educators may contribute to teaching and learning in schools.
[1]
Stephen K. Reed,et al.
Cognition: Theory and Applications
,
1982
.
[2]
A. Luchins.
Mechanization in problem solving: The effect of Einstellung.
,
1942
.
[3]
J. Heywood,et al.
Examining in Second Level Education@@@The Public Examinations Evaluation Project: The Final Report
,
1982
.
[4]
W. E. Red.
Problem Solving and Beginning Engineering Students.
,
1981
.
[5]
Billy V. Koen,et al.
Definition of the engineering method
,
1985
.
[6]
Robert A. Stager,et al.
Guided Design: A New Concept in Course Design and Operation.
,
1972
.
[7]
Raymond S. Nickerson,et al.
Kinds of Thinking Taught in Current Programs.
,
1984
.