The concept of a curriculum task, defined as a task having goals, procedures for achieving goals, external resources (e.g., instructional materials), and internal resources (student's prior learning), leads to questions that can guide curriculum inquiry. For example, what are we doing to help students use their resources in accomplishing tasks?…

There is a need to develop acceptable methods of inquiry that can be the focal point for connecting the technical components of the curriculum with related mental processes The mental processes integral to the work of a technologist are defining the problem, analyzing, computing, measuring, questioning/hypothesizing, constructing models, testing,…

Explores current epistemological inquiries about knowledge, certainty; and the legitimacy of social contexts within debates over claims to knowledge. Considers their relevance for widespread transformations in education, especially in the areas of curriculum and teacher education. (Author/LHW)

Describes a nursing curriculum based on learning strategies and thinking processes rather than on content. Identifies five critical operations: (1) clinical process; (2) consultation; (3) managerial process; (4) learning; and (5) investigative process. (JOW)

Modes of thought (symbolic, imagic, affective), thinking processes (reasoning, intuiting), and habits of mind should be exercised in elementary and middle schools. Interdisciplinary processes of inquiry and organization of curriculum around major ideas and questions are a better way to prepare youth. (SK)

Makes reference to a logic table introduced in the first keynote address of a series of three that focus on the history of chemistry and its application to teaching. Contains 42 references. (DDR)

Concepts, propositions, proposition sets, and process patterns are discussed as elements of a model of language-related basic thinking skills. The term "concept" is defined and illustrated, and a model of concept attainment is briefly described. Illustrations are offered for a set of 430 basic concept clusters intended for use as a…

Although theoretical work has been done on the nature of metaphors, there is little that deals directly with the use of metaphoric language in the teaching of regular school subjects. Yet it is clear that metaphors, and metaphoric thinking, may be used to great advantage in clarifying and elaborating on ideas, and in helping students to develop…

There has been a flood of publications concerned with the teaching of thinking and problem solving, a great many exploring definitions and approaches to instruction. This book explores the implications of recent theoretical positions as in the work of Elliott Jaques, Joseph Walters, and Howard Gardner; examines the long interest and study of…

Discusses the benefits of lecturing, when done properly, in high schools. Describes the positive attributes of effective lecturers. Provides a human information-processing model applicable to the task of lecturing to students. (HB)

In order for educators to plan for thinking skills in the curriculum, what is meant by thinking must first be determined. Drawing from current research, this report provides working definitions of thinking skills and practical models to explain the working relationships among different levels and different kinds of thought processes. These…

Many students are not skilled "thinkers" or "problem solvers." Extensive research has been conducted to describe the mental processes involved in problem solving in the hope of establishing a theoretical basis for training students to become more adept at reasoning. Certain problems become evident, however, when reviewing literature for designing…

Before cutting up words, analyzing and dissecting them, children should touch the reality behind them. The arts are fundamental to the language experience approach to reading, providing a perceptual framework for a child to express ideas and feelings. The results of selected school programs where the arts have been incorporated into the curriculum…

Reviews the research and writing of several authors who advocated intellectual reflectivity as either a major goal or method of social studies. Analyzes the practical constraints which tended to prevent schools and teachers from adopting reflectivty and makes recommendations for increasing teachers' acceptance of reflectivity. (JDH)

The curriculum is not a training ground for economic productivity. Curriculum should interact fully with students' world and encourage students' theoretical understanding of their social, emotional, and intellectual encounters. (10 references) (MLF)