The researcher conducted a six-month ethnographic study as an apprentice carpenter in Cape Town, South Africa, to document the valid mathematical ideas that are embedded in the everyday woodworking activities of a group of carpenters. A secondary objective was to examine and to give a firsthand account of the teaching and learning of mathematical…

Middle school students are failing to connect what is learned in computer classes to other subject areas of the school's curriculum. Teachers, who often lack basic computer knowledge, are not encouraging computer use, and a lack of computer accessibility and appropriate software compound the problem. A practicum was designed to: (1) move the…

This paper presents a research study of children using on-screen manipulatives (objects represented graphically on the computer screen) in learning mathematics. The paper begins by offering the rationale for the use of manipulatives in mathematics education, an assessment of why manipulatives are not more commonly used in schools, and a discussion…

"Preparing for Tomorrow's World" (PTW) is an interdisciplinary, future-oriented program incorporating information from the sciences/social sciences and addressing societal concerns which interface science/technology/society. The program promotes responsible citizenry with increased abilities in critical thinking, problem-solving,…

This conference on physics education was held to improve cooperative efforts in connection with 12 topics previously identified by a survey. A working group was organized in association with each of these topics with the hope of creating or reinforcing a network. Working groups included: network development procedures; graduate education and…

Drawn largely from the experiences of Bloomfield College (Illinois) with its Freshman Core Program, but citing other efforts to develop thinking skills as well, this essay considers several questions and issues concerning the cognitive skills approach to teaching. The paper begins by identifying some of the increasingly common learning problems…

This notebook discusses issues and methods of developing adult literacy education (ALE) programs according to functional context education (FCE) principles. Chapters 1-3 in Part 1, The Power of ALE, focus on current ALE; address why ALE is of growing importance; show how investments can return benefits for adults and others; look at issues…

This bulletin is one of a series on the place of subjects in the elementary school curriculum. The first of the series showed how subject matter is introduced into the program in a modern school. The other bulletins in the series discuss how various skills, such as reading, creating in art, and writing are developed in the modern school program.…

Presents a study of 87 second graders to demonstrate that achievement tests in primary mathematics emphasize pupil's lower-order thinking by comparing answers to interview questions from constructivist and traditionally instructed groups. Results indicated that constructivist instructed students demonstrated superior higher-order thinking on tasks…

In 1992, the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), in conjunction with Wheelock College (Boston), sponsored its second workshop on children's play, entitled "Play and Cognitive Ability: The Cultural Context." This volume reflects the presentations and discussions held at the workshop, offering perspectives on children's play…

This manual, which is based on extensive research on cognitive psychology and organizational theory, contains resources for nine workshop sessions designed to help people become creative problem solvers in their workplace and their lives. The materials are based on Bransford and Stein's IDEAL model, according to which successful problem solving…

One of three related documents produced in response to a need for direct instruction in thinking skills at the secondary level, this teaching guide for Book One and Book Two of "Thinking Through Language" is intended for junior or senior high school English teachers. The guide contains an introduction and summaries of Book One and Book Two,…

One of three related documents produced in response to a need for direct instruction in thinking skills, this program for middle school or junior high school students bases its approach on involvement of students in direct experiences. The book contains four units. Focusing on perception, Unit 1: "Experiencing the Arts" begins with ways sensory…

Law-related education programs for elementary school should be based on children's perceptions of reality. Psychologist Jean Piaget's studies of cognitive development indicate that children constantly reconstruct reality as they undergo new experiences. Children at early developmental stages may not be capable of understanding the origin and…

This unit of the Flexible Learning System (FLS) is designed to teach adults how to use toys and games to help children between 3 and 8 years of age learn basic skills and concepts. The text provides an introduction to working with children that is oriented towards new teachers, paraprofessionals, and volunteer staff. Skills emphasized include…