The role of the museum as a source of information is discussed in response to the question about how museums can best augment school curricula. The relationship between schools and museums is investigated with respect to learning. Children must learn to learn--see, observe, conclude, and think--rather than memorize facts. Museums can teach this by…

Reports on a study comparing high school students who received instruction in environmental issues during a six-day residential environmental education workshop, with students receiving instruction in both environmental issues and action strategies. Results indicated students receiving just issue awareness instruction failed to increase their…

Reports on a study which compared the effectiveness of microcomputer simulated experiences with that of parallel, hands-on laboratory instruction for teaching the concept of volume displacement to junior high school students. Results indicated that computer simulated experience were as affective as hands-on laboratory experiences. (TW)

Describes an inservice teacher workshop conducted in Pennsylvania which was designed to encourage the introduction of chemistry at the elementary school level. Discusses the organization and content of the workshop, the materials used, and some evaluative information provided by workshop leaders, teachers, and their students. (TW)

Describes a course offered at the United States Coast Guard Academy that deals with the marine transportation of hazardous materials. Outlines the major topics covered in the course, including marine transportation regulations. Discusses the use of lectures, laboratory demonstrations, and "hands-on" activities in the instructional…

Describes the learning style inventory and learning cycle developed by David Kolb. Discusses the learning cycle's four stages as concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Offers an example from a chemical engineering class in which Kolb's ideas are used in an effort to improve instruction.…

Describes the cyclical nature of a problem-solving sequence produced from observing children involved in the process. Discusses the generic qualities of science: (1) observing; (2) inferring; (3) classifying; (4) predicting; (5) controlling variables; and (6) hypothesizing. Explains the processes in use and advantages of a process-led course. (RT)

Philosophy and practice in gifted education are reviewed, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive planning policy which takes into account the total experience of the gifted student and the need for a differentiated curriculum. Gifted education should include basic skills, general curriculum, talent development, and interpersonal relationships…

Discusses study of tenth and eleventh graders that was undertaken to determine how paid employment influences the behavior and attitudes of adolescents. Topics discussed include the development of responsibility, isolation from adults, negative effects of working, and West Germany's system of apprenticeship combined with part-time schooling. (10…

States the objectives and implementation procedures for this teacher-directed or individualized learning discovery unit. Describes the value of the program and additional activities that can be included. Shows a copy of the program. (RT)

Examines the physical properties of the ocean (including the composition of seawater; waves, currents, and tides) and the topography of the ocean floor. Included are (1) activities on oceans, saltwater, and the sea floor; and (2) questions, and a puzzle which can be copied. (Author/RT)

Describes mechanisms of thought associated with making predictions. Concludes that successful predictors had high initial knowledge of the subject matter and were formally operational. Unsuccessful predictors had low initial knowledge and were concretely operational. Systematic manipulation, note taking, and higher-level thinking skills were…

Shows that the second law of thermodynamics is in the common experience of many people and if taught first, before the law of conservation, can result in fewer misconceptions among pupils. Stresses the use of common experiences in teaching. (CW)

Describes the interdisciplinary environmental education program at the University of Waterloo (Canada). Discusses the evolution of the program over the past decade, which is now a four-year honors program leading to a Bachelor of Environmental Studies Degree. Focuses on the departmental unit, interdisciplinary characteristics, and the program's…

Discusses some of the potential for using computer-assisted interactive videodisks in teaching chemistry laboratory techniques. Describes an effort currently underway at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) where 18 interactive videodisk lessons dealing with kinetics, equilibrium and the behavior of gases have been developed. (TW)