The author makes a conceptual distinction between "teaching strategies" and "teaching methods" and questions the designation of discovery learning as a teaching strategy. (SJL)

Two methods of teaching computation to undergraduates in a department of technology are described and the results are contrasted quantitatively and qualitatively. Conclusions indicate that a learner-directed discovery approach is best suited to this type of course. (Author/JEG)

An activity leading to the discovery of a property of primes is suggested for encouraging algebra students to make nontrivial conjectures. (MP)

A week-by-week readiness program for preschool and early primary children. (Editor)

Presents a question designed to launch a discovery journey through conjecture, research, serendipitous encounters, proof, answers, and new questions. Reports some discoveries and suggests ways in which to incorporate this strategy into classrooms. Presents a geometry project that incorporates this problem-solving approach to mathematics. (JRH)

Educators must understand two opposing traditions in education, the mimetic and the transformative. Whereas traditional lesson structuring stresses concept introduction, constructivism emphasizes exploration. To constructivists, teachers strike the delicate balance between teaching for fact and skill acquisition and teaching for independent and…

Relates a kindergarten teacher's classroom experience where play is not considered a primary medium for learning. Describes a strategy used to establish play, specifically investigative play, as a legitimate activity in the classroom. Discusses issues associated with play-based curriculum and how, with the renewed interest in science education, it…

Examined development of multiplication skills in 8- to 12-year-olds taught by discovery methods. Found a general shift away from less effective strategies across ages 8 to 12, but by 11 years, relatively few used the most effective strategy of retrieval for all operands. Effective strategy development was related to nonverbal reasoning ability and…

Types of learning with a strong emphasis on the responsibility of the learner (such as discovery learning) are gaining popularity over traditional forms of (expository) instruction. Discovery learning distinguishes itself by the central role of learning processes such as hypothesis generation (induction), experiment design, and data…

This article lays the foundations for the notion of exploratory orientation as an educational goal. After reviewing the conceptual roots of exploration, the article examines the essence of the experience of exploration and its developmental benefits. Then, turning to the context of school, the article discusses the mostly implicit role of…

In this article, the author discusses a project involving the observation of 12 teachers in different schools, teaching pupils at Key Stage 3 of differing ages and abilities, noting both questioning techniques used and pupils' responses. The teachers involved were volunteers, chosen to give a range of experience, styles, and school, and included a…

This document presents the proceedings of 16th Annual Research Forum held June 15, 2011, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Included herein are the following 25 action research papers: (1) The Effects of Prompted Math Journaling on Algebra 1 Students' Achievement and Attitudes (Heidi I. Arnold); (2) Group Work and Attitude…

Arranged into eight parts, the booklet assists instrumental music teachers in facilitating musicianship in the beginning instrumental class. Part 1 presents a description and rationale for teaching comprehensive musicianship in instrumental programs. Part 2 presents a list of student objectives and teaching strategies for beginning level classes.…

The teaching of politics and administration has much to gain from incorporating the experimental outlook of the field of Human Resources Development (HRD). Typically, instructors focus on the five goals in political science education (informational, analytical, synthetic, normative, and applied) separately, hoping that integration will occur…

This essay addresses the question of why teaching seems to be resistant to change. It is argued that researchers' answers have suffered from defects both in how the question has been framed and where the answers are to be found. It is pointed out that, assuming that teaching can and should change, "barriers" to change have been sought, but most…