A socio-constructivist account of learning and emotions stresses the situatedness of every learning activity and points to the close interactions between cognitive, conative and affective factors in students' learning and problem solving. Emotions are perceived as being constituted by the dynamic interplay of cognitive, physiological, and…

Hypermedia as a learning environment complements traditional instruction as it places the student at a higher level of control. Instead of "wait and see" what the teacher expects the student to learn next, hypermedia stimulates the student to become aware of his/her own cognitive needs and interests. This paper presents a combination of notions…

This paper describes the characteristics of microworlds and discusses the basis of their use as educational tools. The power of a microworld as a learning tool is based in the philosophy of constructivism, the Piagetian principle of equilibrium, mental models, and intrinsic motivation. Research results of educational microworld studies appear to…

This paper outlines assumptions and principles related to computer mediated learning (CML) and suggests instructional design and classroom strategies for CML planning and practice. The pedagogy of control is contrasted with the pedagogy of choice and the latter constructivist viewpoint is recommended as the basis of CML. Assumptions about learning…

Learning is an active, constructive and collaborative process, where people construct knowledge from their experiences in the world. People construct new knowledge with particular effectiveness when they engage in constructing personally meaningful products, that is meaningful to themselves or to others around them. The construction of knowledge…

The effective use of technology in the mathematics classroom depends on the interaction between students and their peers, students and teacher, and students and technology. This report describes a study of the introduction of a cognitive teaching model for using graphing calculators in a secondary mathematics classroom in Hong Kong. Episodes of…

This paper explores whether new information technologies are appropriate for use with young children. The paper concentrates on theories related to young children's use of "new media." Sections are: (1) "Defining the New Media by Its Functions"; (2) "Constructivism and Interaction with New Media"; (3) "The…

Describes a preservice program to prepare teachers for a curriculum based on the realistic approach. The program appeared successful in changing student teachers' views of mathematics education towards this more inquiry-oriented approach and in promoting effective teacher behavior in classrooms. Only a small number of teachers recognized the…

This article uses a sociocultural perspective of teaching and learning to synthesize previous articles in the series and speculate on future inquiry in the field of learning disabilities. It provides a model showing the expanding sociocultural contexts that frame learning and teaching. (DB)

Presents a historical overview of learning theories in mathematics education applied to the teaching of integers. Theories discussed are meaning vs. rote learning; direct vs. incidental; discovery vs. exposition; concrete vs. abstract; and construction vs. transmission. Includes a reproducible activity sheet and 19 references. (MKR)

Describes a teaching experiment that uses the Learning Cycle to achieve the reorientation of physics' students conceptual frameworks away from commonsense perspectives toward scientifically rigorous outlooks. Uses Archimedes' principle as the content topic while using the Learning Cycle to remove students' nonscientific preconceptions. (JRH)

Because traditional instruction ignores students' personal construction of mathematical meaning, mathematical thought development is not properly nurtured. Several issues must be addressed, including adults' ignorance of math- and student-learning processes, identification of math-education research specialists, the myth of coverage, testing…

Young pupils find collaborative learning hard to sustain, even though it is recommended by developmental psychology and classroom intervention theories. Investigates the effect of two role attribution strategies on communication in peer groups of different gender composition in 8th grade science classes. Confirms the effectiveness of social role…

Explores the tension between subject knowledge and pedagogic content knowledge in elementary teacher education by documenting students' and inservice teachers' learning about forces in the context of floating and sinking. Describes significant features of the learning process and examines subject-specific aspects of learning by demonstrating how…

Describes a teacher's experience with students during their first- and second-grade years. Claims that meaningful learning in a variety of curricular areas occurs when children are interested in a topic. Suggests that teachers capitalize on these situations and create learning experiences that reflect those outside the classroom. Suggests the use…