Describes and discusses an approach to teaching elementary thermodynamics that focuses on promoting and consolidating conceptual change in the classroom toward the accepted scientific view. Reports that this approach enabled a significant proportion of the student group involved to demonstrate understanding of the key ideas as evidenced in…

Uses the founding visions of three educational philosophers--Horace Mann, John Dewey, and Paulo Freire--to create an ideal conception of critical participatory citizenship to guide school practices. Asserts that schools must build the capacity for moral and political conflict into the very nature of citizenship. (Contains 41 references.) (VWC)

Studied the conceptions of formal learning held by 22 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from 3 Australian universities, a group with a high attrition rate in tertiary education. Results show that these students view and approach university learning in much the same way as other students, but the strategies these students used did not…

This training outline provides ideas for helping students learn how to build a Web page or site by increasing skills through step-by-step instruction. Highlights include HTML basics; creating a simple page from a template; layout and design; understanding site structure; copyright; creating links to other sites; and development of content. (LRW)

Discussion of knowledge management focuses on the program for professional education for knowledge management at the University of Technology, Sydney (Australia). Considers attributes of graduates, industry trends that inform the program, the information-knowledge debate, information management, organizational culture, and learning principles and…

Formulates a framework for characterizing elementary children's (n=20) statistical thinking based on a review of research and a cognitive development model, and refines it through a validation process. Proposes four thinking levels which represent a continuum from idiosyncratic to analytic reasoning. Results confirm the four levels of children's…

Utilized a questionnaire to gather information about what strategies teachers and principals believed held the most promise for improving student learning in science and mathematics. Discusses questionnaire responses concerning science. (Author/SAH)

Lists 19 arguments as to why mathematics history should be introduced into the mathematics curriculum, including: (1) history helps increase motivation for learning; (2) history makes mathematics less frightening; and (3) history helps students better understand concepts. Gives 10 specific examples of how this history could be provided to a…

Discussion of the nature of professional development in distance education conceptualizes the different forms that professional development can take and then focuses on developer-led learning. Highlights include social interaction; knowledge advantages and knowledge deficits; conflicting values; organizational struggles; and experiences at the…

Describes a project conducted with Italian lower-secondary school classes using computers and telematics for the study of contemporary history. Discusses the use of computer-mediated communication to improve collaboration between students, teachers, and experts and to foster an alternative way of studying history. (Contains 4 references.)…

Questions the teaching and learning strategies that meet the needs of children with limited English-speaking skills. Makes suggestions to determine student stages of language development depending on cognitive ability and beginning, intermediate, and advanced ability. Lists basic teaching, learning, and assessment strategies for science lessons.…

Discusses the importance of considering individual students' learning styles when encouraging them to practice their musical instruments at home on a regular basis, focusing on how to accommodate learning style preferences related to: light; time of day; persistence; nutritional intake; furniture design; practicing in pairs or small groups;…

Assessment should be focused on the cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and affective aspects of lifelong learning. Both qualitative and quantitative methods such as learning and study strategies inventories, affective instruments, and learning logs should be used. (Contains 63 references.) (SK)

Reviews research on reading comprehension for students with learning disabilities focusing on studies on instruction to improve comprehension of narrative text and expository text. Discusses emerging issues in the field, including use of socially mediated strategies, teaching multiple strategies to students, and teaching specific strategies as…

Explores how university students respond to and perform in a Web-based learning environment. Examines whether technology can serve as a catalyst for reforming post-secondary education, and specifically whether it can help educators address the problem of passive learning among university-level science students. (Author/LRW)