This volume brings together a cross-disciplinary group of anthropologists, researchers of craft, and designer-makers to enumerate and explore the diversity and complexity of problem-solving tactics and strategies employed by craftspeople, together with the key social, cultural, and environmental factors that give rise to particular ways of problem solving. Presenting rich, textured ethnographic studies of craftspeople at work around the world, Craftwork as Problem Solving examines the intelligent practices involved in solving a variety of problems and the ways in which these are perceived and evaluated both by makers and creators themselves, and by the societies in which they work. With attention to local factors such as training regimes and formal education, access to tools, socialisation and cultural understanding, budgetary constraints and market demands, changing technologies and materials, and political and economic regimes, this book sheds fresh light on the multifarious forms of intelligence involved in design and making, inventing and manufacturing, and cultivating and producing. As such, it will appeal to scholars of anthropology, sociology, and cultural geography, as well as to craftspeople with interests in creativity, skilful practice, perception and ethnography.

This text on mathematical problem solving provides a comprehensive outline of "problemsolving-ology," concentrating on strategy and tactics. It discusses a number of standard mathematical subjects such as combinatorics and calculus from a problem solver's perspective.

Against the backdrop of an alienating, technologizing and ever-accelerating world of material production, this book tells an intimate story: one about a community of woodworkers training at an historic institution in London’s East End during the present ‘renaissance of craftsmanship’. The animated and scholarly accounts of learning, achievement and challenges reveal the deep human desire to create with our hands, the persistent longing to find meaningful work, and the struggle to realise dreams. In its penetrating explorations of the nature of embodied skill, the book champions greater appreciation for the dexterity, ingenuity and intelligence that lie at the heart of craftwork.

Arts and crafts were one of the very first therapies employed by occupational therapists. Today, crafts are still employed as effective interventions for clients with mental health disorders, physical dysfunctions, cognitive issues, and sensory concerns in hospitals, outpatient clinics, veterans’ centers, schools, skilled nursing facilities, or community settings. Step by step, the authors show you how to use a wide-range of novel, and highly engaging crafts. They explain how to connect the key tasks associated with an activity to functional outcomes, and how to modify them to meet the specific needs of individual patients. They also address the issues of documentation, and reimbursement.

It is important in a democratic society to teach both practical and theoretical lessons, and to develop both the functional abilities of the populace, and the visionary problem-solving capacities of the nation's future leadership. This thesis posits that the realm of craft education has potentials for strengthening of both these facets. It includes resources regarding the potential for crafts, in a variety of educational settings, for teaching literacy, social studies, creative thinking and problem solving. Little was found in the way of using this medium for teaching math or science subject. This study includes a survey of craftspeople designed to find some of the math and science applications they have discovered through their work. This thesis concludes that further study is needed for more in-depth research into this matter, for often a craftsperson can use a skill so frequently that he or she fails to notice its application.

More than sixty educational, entertaining craft projects that encourage children to unplug, interact, and have fun! Does your child spend too much time in front of a screen? Help them discover the excitement of hands-on learning with Screen-Free Crafts Kids Will Love. Packed with DIY projects like a personalized race track chore tracker, a high-flying homemade 3D kite, and handmade musical instruments, the activities in this book will encourage your child to explore the world beyond the screen. Screen-Free Crafts Kids Will Love features step-by-step instructions and color photos for over sixty entertaining and educational projects that: • Promote lifelong learning • Stimulate creativity • Improve problem solving • Spur imaginative thinking • Encourage independent playtime And the fun doesn’t end when the crafting is over—youngsters will love playing with their new handmade creations on game night, at parties, during holidays, and more.