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Future students are confronted with a complex world that demands the ability to solve problems in unstructured, undefined, and unfamiliar situations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the development of problem-solving skills through the implementation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL). While previous research has primarily focused on content-related and long-term measurements when examining the effects of PBL, this study took a different approach by exploring the general increase in problem-solving skills resulting from PBL. The sample consisted of 90 second-semester students who were assessed at three different time points using three subscales of the Wilde-Intelligenz-Test I & II: analogies (AL), letter series (BR) and numerical series (ZN). The findings revealed a significant improvement in general problem-solving abilities within the PBL group. These results provide valuable insights into the impact of PBL on the development of general problem-solving skills, even within a domain-independent and short-term context. Lecturers are encouraged to consider implementing PBL in their study programs, as it equips graduates with the necessary skills to tackle the challenges of today’s dynamic and constantly changing world.

This study aimed to determine Turkish junior high-school students' perceptions of the general problem-solving process. The Turkish junior high-school students' perceptions of the general problem-solving process were examined in relation to their gender, grade level, age and their grade point with regards to the science course identified in the study. The study included 604 junior high-school students who study at eight different schools. A perception scale about problem solving was used as the data collection tool. The study's method was the survey model. The results from the data analysis revealed that Turkish junior high-school students had a positive perception of the general problem-solving process. It was seen that the perception of the students regarding their problem-solving skills was at a high level but that their willingness and determination regarding the problem-solving process was at a medium level. The results revealed that perceptions of the general problem-solving process of female students, students with a lower grade level, younger students and students who were more successful in the science course were significantly more positive than those of other students.

Video game play is a pervasive recreational activity, particularly among college students. While there is a large research base focused on educational video game play and uses of games in the classroom, there is much less research focused on cognitive strategies and entertainment video game play. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving approaches in video games. One hundred and thirty-eight undergraduate college students completed online surveys about their video game play and also an assessment of general problem-solving style. A multivariate linear regression revealed relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving preferences in video games, with a few differences when looking at specific genres of games. This study provides evidence that approaches to video game play can be a reflection of real-life problem-solving styles.

The problem of optimal reorientation of the spacecraft orbit is considered in quaternion formulation. Control (vector of the acceleration of the jet thrust) is limited in magnitude. To solve the problem it is required to determine the optimal orientation of this vector in space. It is necessary to minimize the duration of the process of reorientation of the spacecraft orbit. To describe the motion of the center of mass of the spacecraft we used quaternion differential equation of the orientation of the spacecraft orbit. The problem was solved using the maximum principle of L. S. Pontryagin. Accounting the known particular solution of the equation for the variable conjugated to a true anomaly, we allowed to simplify the equations of the problem. The problem of optimal reorientation of the spacecraft orbit is reduced to a boundary value problem with a moving right end trajectory described by a system of nonlinear differential equations of the fifteenth order. For the numerical solution of the obtained boundary value problem the transition to dimensionless variables was carried out. At the same time a characteristic dimensionless parameter of the problem appeared in the phase and conjugate equations. The original numerical algorithm for finding unknown initial values of conjugate variables, which is a combination of the 4th order Runge –Kutta method, modified Newton method and gradient descent method is constructed. The use of two methods for solving boundary value problems has improved the accuracy of the boundary value problem solution of optimal control. Examples of numerical solution of the problem are given for the case when the difference between the initial and final orientations of the spacecraft orbit equals to a few (or tens of) degrees in angular measure. Graphs of component changes of the spacecraft orbit orientation quaternion; variables characterizing the shape and dimensions of the spacecraft orbit; optimal control are plotted. The analysis of the obtained solutions is given. The features and regularities of the optimal reorientation of the spacecraft orbit are established.

General problem-solving steps consist of understanding the problem, developing a plan, implementing the plan and checking the result. The purpose of this study is to explore how well Indonesia junior secondary school students apply these four steps in solving mathematical problems, especially on plane geometry topics. Using a qualitative approach, with a sample of nine students, of which three students were from the low mathematics achievement category, three from the medium and three from the high category, were given a test and instructed to write the answers to each question step by step. The results were described and categorized into four groups. The first group consisted of students who used all of the four steps. The second and the third were for students who used the first three steps or the first two steps respectively. The fourth group was for those who could only show the first step. The study indicated that for this sample the level of mathematic ability corresponded to how the students applied their problem-solving steps. It was found that students with high ability were included in the first group, while those with moderate ability were in the second group. Low ability students were categorized into group four. Nevertheless, there was one student with high ability who did not to do the checking step and there was one student with low ability who was able to develop a plan.

Video game play is a pervasive recreational activity, particularly among college students. While there is a large research base focused on educational video game play and uses of games in the classroom, there is much less research focused on cognitive strategies and entertainment video game play. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving approaches in video games. One hundred and thirty-eight undergraduate college students completed online surveys about their video game play and also an assessment of general problem-solving style. A multivariate linear regression revealed relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving preferences in video games, with a few differences when looking at specific genres of games. This study provides evidence that approaches to video game play can be a reflection of real-life problem-solving styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]