Due to its abstract, theoretical nature, the mole concept has been recognized as one of the most difficult topics to teach and learn within the chemistry curriculum. The purpose of this study was to chronicle the development of high school students' conceptions of the mole following a period of instruction in a chemistry class. This investigation…

This theme issue reviews and confirms the connection between thinking skills and art education. Articles offer possible teaching approaches and specific lesson plans dealing with thinking skills. The issue includes: (1) "Editor's View" (Sharon McCoubrey); (2) "Critical and Creative Thinking and Making Art" (Carol Fineberg); (3)…

The domination of the information processing approach has shifted research from problem solving strategies to the structure and organization of knowledge that characterizes expertise. The purpose of this study was to compare the reasoning processes of 12 clinicians and 40 medical students as they responded to 6 positively stated multiple choice…

In Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILE), students use a computer-database system as a tool to store and organize their curriculum-related knowledge as a means of sharing information and thoughts with peers, supporting both individual and collaborative learning. This study contrasts two conditions: face-to-face collaboration…

This study investigated the perception of university teachers regarding what critical thinking skills are needed for successful undergraduate study, and determined the relative importance of these skills within and across academic disciplines. A total of 31 university teachers in 6 academic disciplines of Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences,…

This book provides guidance to the research student in planning, carrying out, writing up, and publishing research findings. More than 500 tips for researchers are presented in a format that groups the tips into sets of ideas for each of the following chapters: (1) "Getting Started in Research"; (2) "Finding Your Feet--and Keeping…

An approach to teaching problem-solving based on using the computer software Mathematica is applied to the study of electrostatics and is compared with the normal approach to the module. Learning outcomes for both approaches were not significantly different. The experimental course successfully addressed a number of misconceptions. Students in the…

Two experiments in instructional supervision were conducted to support teachers in changing their teaching behavior as they implemented a new math curriculum. The focus of the investigation was a method of teaching multiplication and principles of effective teaching. In the first experiment, instructional supervision, both with and without…

This document proposes a case study approach to U.S. history instruction. The method which the document suggests arises from an actual class discussion of the My Lai massacre that occurred during the Vietnam War. A sample class discussion concerns the setting of standards to guide national and international affairs and the particular standards…

This collection of four papers deals with problem solving and the measurement of problem solving. "Climbing Up the Competence Ladder: Some Thoughts on Meaningful Assessment of Problem-Solving Tasks in the Classroom" by K. C. Cheung uses the metaphor of a competence ladder to represent the problem-solving continuum with progressive…

This paper describes a study designed to investigate the development of scientific reasoning or logical thinking patterns of South Korean secodary school students. The scientific reasoning or logical thinking patterns were categorized into patterns of logic such as seriation, combinations, proportion, control of variables, probability, and…

A major goal of the School for Independent Study at North East London Polytechnic, which was founded in 1974, has been to provide the opportunity for higher education among students in an underprivileged area of London where typically few students have access to further schooling. The desire to increase access led to "non-standard entry"…

In order not to waste the time of the people working hard and sacrificing to become literate, literacy must offer them a real opportunity to change their life situation. Although many literacy programs are designed to fit the everyday lives and situations of their students, the same is not true for programs that teach arithmetic. Most adults…

This book attempts to survey some of the current issues of mathematics teaching in elementary schools in Great Britain. Chapter one is an introduction to the material while chapters two and three examine recent reports and suggestions for change and discuss the place of mathematics in the elementary curriculum. Chapter four is devoted to an…

This international research report consists of five papers discussing five different topics in education. "Views on the Implementation of the Curriculum--Experiences of the Finnish Practice" (P. Kansanen) analyzes research results regarding the national curriculum for the Finnish comprehensive school system and compares them with a…