This paper focuses on the social constructivist perspective as a theoretical framework that can guide the design and evaluation of instructional research in literacy. Three assumptions are discussed: literacy knowledge is a cultural phenomenon; cognitive processes related to literacy are acquired in holistic, contextualized activity; and literacy…

This paper reviews the recent history of psychoeducational testing, examines attempts to link assessment with instruction within the information processing domain, and presents a model of a general assessment-instruction procedure that classroom and specialist teachers could use in effective remediation and instruction practices. (JDD)

Subjects forced to process redundant material or split their attention between multiple sources of information may encounter extraneous cognitive load. Results of 4 experiments involving 125 fourth graders in Sydney (Australia) provide evidence for the inadequacy of conventionally formatted instructional materials and emphasize debilitating…

Presents research findings related to students' intuitive ideas about the concepts of chance to inform teachers how students form their concepts of probability and statistics. Discusses adolescents' conceptions of uncertainty, judgmental heuristics in making estimates of event likelihood, the conjunction fallacy, the outcome approach, attempts to…

The study examined methods of mathematical problem solving with 34 gifted and 34 average Dutch 10 year olds. Typical questioning protocols are diagrammed and results tabulated. Preliminary findings suggest the potential value of explicit teaching of advanced mathematical problem-solving skills to pupils of average ability. (DB)

Dutch researchers investigated the effects of Obuchova's method of teaching measurement to kindergarten children with no knowledge of conservation or seriation. Results indicated training was highly effective. Skills were transferred to conservation tasks not taught in training. Transfer to concepts not included in training was also observed. (SM)

Examines the theoretical rationales (universal grammar, information-processing theories, skill-learning theories) for input-based grammar teaching and reviews classroom-oriented research (i.e., enriched-input studies, input-processing studies) that has integrated this option. (Author/VWL)

Addresses the importance of integrating the intellectual and moral education of gifted students. A framework synthesized from the works of Dewey and Guilford explicates basic structural components of the intellectual and moral dimensions of development. Suggestions for facilitating complex learning through complex teaching and the complex…

Advises new science teachers and lists Gardner's multiple intelligences and strategies for learning. Recommends providing a safe learning environment for students. (YDS)

Discusses problems that educators face in attempting to emphasize high-level cognitive skills in their curriculum. Identifies four elements of informal learning that guide the creation of these skills, through a comparison of the characteristics of formal and informal learning environments. Notes benefits for development of students' conceptual…

Explores the use of classroom cases as instructional material, vehicles for inservice education, and as raw data for research on teacher cognition. (Author/CCM)

This study investigated teachers' assessment practices in a high-stakes testing environment. Questionnaires were administered to 168 practicing teachers earning a master's degree in education. In-depth interviews were conducted with five of these teachers. The results showed that teachers reported using more traditional, close-ended assessments…

The new English mathematics curriculum for three to five year olds requires adults to teach number. How this should be done is not clear: this article looks at current theory and research in order to recommend some teaching strategies. A new mathematics pedagogy is proposed, based on holistic principles and considering children's mathematical…

This chapter presents a brain-based model of adult learning and connects the model to practice.

Recently, the importance of an everyday context in physics learning, teaching, and problem-solving has been emphasized. However, do students or physics educators really want to learn or teach physics problem-solving in an everyday context? Are there not any obstructive factors to be considered in solving the everyday context physics problems? To…