One of the goals of science education is to foster critical and scientific thinking skills. However, if the meaning of the terms "thinking critically" or "thinking scientifically" is not clear, these phrases will become vacuous slogans beyond translation in teaching methods and curriculum materials. Therefore, the fundamental aspect of these terms…

This paper reviews selected research efforts conducted during the period 1968-78 related to high school economics. More than 17 studies, which were selected on the basis of appropriateness, replicability, representativeness, and relevance, are summarized. The studies are grouped into categories of instruction, attitudes, and student achievement…

This paper reviews the recent theoretical and empirical literature relevant to metacognition and reading comprehension. The first chapter presents a definition of metacognition and considers different types of metacognitive knowledge and the interaction among these types. The second chapter is concerned with the methods of teaching…

First-year students (n=255) at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania completed a survey instrument concerning human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), during the initial meetings of a general health course. Ninety-four percent of respondents had received information about HIV/AIDS at the secondary school level.…

This study evaluated the effects of instructional scaffolding interventions (ISI) on preservice teachers' knowledge structures (e.g., concept maps) and short essay responses over time. Participants were 60 preservice teachers from two universities who were enrolled in one of three introductory psychology courses. One course was used as the…

Science is an "approach in process development." Native American students have well-developed processes which can be best utilized by teaching science using activities which capitalize on students' processes. This article discusses processes first, then applies the content in a cultural framework to enhance science for Native American…

Presents two composite and contrasting cases of how elementary school children are taught history. One student receives instruction heavily slanted toward institutional political history, while the other learns these concepts incorporated throughout social history illustrated with different types of learning activities. Suggests workable…

Provides an overview, guidelines, and specific suggestions for introducing economic thinking to elementary school children. Utilizes examples from US history (buffalo hunting, cattle farming) to illustrate economic concepts. Includes an appendix that frames economic concepts as mysteries with clues (and answers) provided. (MJP)

Describes an undergraduate psychology class that required the students to either write an essay (counterattitudinal advocacy) or read an essay supporting a scientifically acceptable position contrary to one of their beliefs. Maintains that counterattitudinal advocacy is more effective for overcoming beginning students' erroneous beliefs about…

Policymakers promote student teachers' knowledge of subjects and their application of subject knowledge in the classroom as crucial in teacher training reform. The paper presents educational arguments supporting the policy and notes recent studies which have investigated the ways in which students' knowledge of subjects may inform their teaching.…

A review of 66 reports involving science education for students with disabilities finds that specific instructional strategies and techniques have produced generally beneficial effects. Results support previous recommendations for science education based on documented characteristics of these students using appropriate instructional variables,…

Discusses two methods for developing and assessing fluid abilities. In the first method, students are asked to solve increasingly unfamiliar problems in a domain; and in the second, students are required to organize knowledge in new ways or view it from different perspectives. (SLD)

Stresses the need for music educators to ask questions that promote higher-level thinking in their students. Provides a flowchart to help teachers organize their lessons and present graphically the ways to construct effective questions. Explains each of the six sections of the flowchart in detail. (CMK)

Tested the efficacy of a modified nutrition education program for elementary students. Sixteen nutrition lessons were taught alternately by special resource teachers (SRTs) and classroom teachers (as opposed to 24 lessons taught by SRTs). Surveys, observations, interviews, and plate waste data indicated that treatment students had greater…

Purpose: The paper aims to investigate the effect of multicultural knowledgebase on attitudes and feelings of preparedness to teach children from diverse backgrounds among pre-service teachers. Currently issues of multicultural education have been heightened by the academic achievement gap and emphasis on standardized test-scores as the indicator…