Aging professionals have not always effectively communicated about aging to the general public (Feather, 2015). Due at least in part to this, the public often holds inaccurate, ageist beliefs about older adults and aging services/gerontology has been difficult to promote as a desirable career option (Feather, 2015). The authors address this…

Early Childhood Education (EDE) describes the education of young children from birth through age 8. EDE reports have concluded that traditional approaches to curriculum, such as those emphasizing drill and practice of isolated, academic skills, are not in line with current knowledge of human learning and neuropsychology. These approaches fail to…

An experiment using guided design scenarios for a self-care pharmacy practice course found that despite differing entry-level knowledge, all students were able to meet course and unit objectives using the instructional format, indicating it is one method of presenting problem-solving learning activities involving higher-level cognitive processes.…

An approach to teaching university-level environmental education that uses structured controversy to challenge and enhance students' conceptions of environmental issues is described. Students are confronted with alternative viewpoints and evidence and engage in peer discussion to formulate their own position, understand other viewpoints, see the…

This digest discusses the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requirements which state that all students, regardless of their abilities, be given the opportunity to become involved with and progress in the general education curriculum. It describes how educators can use a curriculum that has been universally designed to ensure…

In the face of increasing cultural diversity, educators need new ways of understanding how children think. The theory of multiple intelligences provides a means for distinguishing the many ways children have to solve problems and create products, identify cognitive strengths, and group students according to complementary intelligences. (MSE)

Presented are the findings of a naturalistic case study of science teacher thinking. The role of personal practical theories and curricular and instructional decisions is discussed. Suggested implications of understanding personal theorizing of science teachers and science teacher educators are included. (KR)

Building on the assumption that the most important skill for the future is the ability to think, an initial framework for an intellectual processes curriculum theory is described. A definition of intellectual processes is formulated first: Intellectual processes are those mental operations that enable one to acquire new knowledge, apply that…

Contends that metaphorical thinking can help teachers and students construct new contexts for instruction and learning. Describes the use of metaphors as the basis for a preservice elementary social studies education course. (CFR)

Advances in cognitive science have greatly increased our knowledge of how the human mind stores and uses information. That knowledge can be used to decompose curricular objectives so as to increase the specificity of instruction to a level of precision that should greatly enhance student writing. This article identifies some major types of…

Asserts that the whole-language approach is a philosophy of learning in which children construct knowledge by actively engaging in classroom projects that have real meaning for them. Describes thematic studies using a whole-language approach in which children (with teacher assistance) decide what themes will be studied. (CFR)

Proposes a learning model that includes components of critical thinking and social critique in writing assignments. Reports on results of an experimental course designed to use graduate student teaching assistants to improve students' critical thinking and writing skills. Describes the positive results of the course. (CFR)

Problems attributed to dual language learning in early childhood have been exaggerated and may be the result of a failure to control significant research variables. The relationship between a child's acquisition of a language and his ability to think must be better understood for closer investigation of the effects of dual language learning.…

Analyzes data collected from 121 primary education teachers concerning methods of teaching reading. Discovers that the majority of teachers employ a wide range of reading and writing activities. While most schools maintain a devoted commitment to reading instruction, a lack of consistency suggests a more comprehensive policy. (MJP)

The textbook for training bilingual education teachers addresses psychological and social questions that enable teachers to define more clearly what they want to do in a classroom, and offers theoretical and practical information for a variety of social contexts. The first section addresses individualism and the social nature of bilingualism, and…