The purpose of this article is twofold. The first objective is to update the traditional craft of education by revising the folk theory of mind that underpins such traditions. This is necessary if we are to develop a new learning science as the cornerstone for the renewal of the education enterprise. The second objective is to highlight the need…

This article addresses the themes of this special issue by examining the disciplinary dimensions of learning and teaching within undergraduate courses in the areas of biology and history. Key ways of thinking and practising that biology and history lecturers wished to foster in their students are identified. It presents a relational view of the…

This study investigated whether mothers are responsive to their children's literacy level, thus employing different writing mediation styles with each twin according to the child's level, or whether they possess a consistent style employed with both twins. The sample included 28 sets of twin kindergartners (56 children, M age = 68.89 months) and…

This paper investigates how teacher education programmes provide adequate preparation for its prospective teachers. It uses adult numeracy teacher education in the post-compulsory education sector in England as exemplar. Using findings from two research projects on adult numeracy teacher education courses, the article investigates the applications…

Explains that understanding of science is vital to effective changes in science education. Discusses Thomas Kuhn's writings on the physical sciences and argues that Kuhn provides a better understanding of science education than do earlier models of science, although Kuhn's model fails to connect science with other social processes and interests.…

Some studies of science education indicate that many students are alienated from the subjects by their presentation, both verbal and textual. While some have stressed the need to build on students' existing knowledge, it may also be that much scientific presentation is unnecessarily abstruse and even misrepresentative of scientific practice. (MSE)

This booklet, part of the "Getting to Grips with..." series, gives teachers and trainers in vocational education and training some easily digestible information about learning styles. It provides practical tips on how to identify students' learning styles, and how to respond to individuals and groups based on their preferred methods of…

Students taking hybrid or online classes are often unprepared for the kinds of skills that are needed to be successful in this environment. This report provides an overview of one approach, an interactive CD-ROM (SPARK), that faculty can use to assist students in narrowing the gap between needed online learning skills and their current technical…

The effects of students' conceptual levels and teachers' instruction patterns on students' motivation to learn academic course content were investigated. An examination of 63 students indicated that for low-conceptual-level students, direct teaching methods maximized motivation to learn course content. For high-conceptual-level students, nondirect…

Concepts used by two classes of grade eight students, one advanced and the other average, to explain the changes that occur when water is heated to boiling are presented. Little difference was found between groups in terms of the personal misconceptions used to explain boiling. The changes that take place in conceptual knowledge immediately after…

Examined scenarios for using two schematic organizers (schematic knowledge maps and conceptual matrices) in integrating episodic and semantic knowledge about alcohol. Seventy college students were assigned to either schematic organizer group or essay writing group. Groups were further divided into episodic/semantic and semantic/episodic treatment…

Constructs a corrective learning system using the Socratic dialogue as a guide to correct mistakes in students' knowledge of subtraction. The Socratic dialog applies a dialectic method to present questions to the student and lets the student reconsider his or her own thinking. Results show that the Socratic-dialog approach is of great help to…

Describes a survey of 54 tutors in a peer tutoring program that examined the knowledge the tutors had gained concerning methods of student learning. Discusses responses regarding strategies that promote learning, the most effective instructional methods, and self-directed learning. Includes a list of cited tutorial methods. (27 citations) (MAB)

Investigated the effects of problem-solving instruction on high school students' knowledge acquisition, retention, and structuring in contrast to expository instruction in social studies. Students in both groups completed knowledge acquisition instruments. Results indicated that knowledge structure measures did not differ significantly between the…

In Hong Kong, early-years teachers face professional challenges in adopting a creative and child-oriented pedagogy in which play-based learning is central. The paper illuminates teachers' understanding of play, approaches used, difficulties faced, and their power in finding solutions. Six Hong Kong kindergarten teachers participated in an in-depth…