Instructors must be steadfast in their intent to alter conventional transmission models of instruction and to embed reading and writing fully in subject area learning so that avid reading and writing become a natural part of all classroom activity. One instructional model offering engagement of students with material is the constructivist…

Examines guessing as a heuristic for problem-solving presented in a taped lesson by George Polya. Analogical models transformed a complex problem to a simpler one and maintained problem identification. Instructional explanations fulfilled two goals simultaneously: (1) teach students how to use guessing as a problem-solving strategy to solve the…

Examines which of the warrants of authority, coherence, and empirical evidence were invoked by grade 8 science classroom participants in their daily interactions, and whether these were linked to particular teaching referents. Results indicate that when the teacher embraced a context exposure referent at the expense of constructivism, the warrant…

In interviews, 8 novice and 10 experienced extension educators discussed problem situations. Results supported Schon's theory that reflective practitioners use constructivist problem solving, nonreflective practitioners an instrumentalist approach. Whether novices or experts, reflective practitioners develop expertise through reflection-in-action…

Presents a model lesson that demonstrates how teachers can provide experiences to close the conceptual gaps for deaf students and provide a common base before launching into new concepts. Discusses the constructivist paradigm, misconceptions, the Learning Cycle, strategies for teaching deaf students, and assessment of learning for students who are…

Proposes a framework for the design of computer-mediated communication (CMC) environments that combines constructivist learning environments (CLEs) and dynamic learning environments (DLEs). Highlights include learner involvement in the problem authenticity; computer-supported collaborative learning; goal-based scenarios; integrating CLEs and DLEs;…

Examines different interpretations and versions of constructivism, highlighting common elements and points of disjuncture; exploring a possible shared intuition; discussing the ways in which constructivist vocabularies have been assimilated into the discourse of professional practice, curriculum development, and related projects; and speculating…

Employs a first-person phenomenological approach to describe an expedition for teachers from the uppermost beginning of a Northern Rocky Mountain watershed to its river output at the bottom. Focuses on the roles of people and place in the construction of new knowledge about the environment. Takes traditional curriculum theory a step beyond simple…

Argues that radical constructivism addresses an age-old paradox in philosophy: that the knower must construct for himself a true representation of the real world, but the only access to that world is through the act of knowing. Discusses contributions of several epistemologists to this theory of knowledge and outlines current criticisms of it.…

Delineates the apparent, though unclaimed, intellectual relations between William James' philosophical and psychological writings and the constructivist sub-genres of social cognition, situated cognition, and radical constructivism, suggesting that James' work offers a clarity and inclusiveness of thought that predates the postulates of…

Traces the development of learning theories and their impact on educational technologies. Suggests that the constructivist approach to learning provides the opportunity for authentic, computer-based learning environments to be established; however, change will not be effected if the significance of teacher professional development and support for…

Praises previous article by Arthur Shapiro but challenges the list of questions that would identify the respondent as a constructivist-thinking teacher. Regarding supportive research, contends that because of confounding variables, results are suspect when compared with other related research. Attributes meager research about constructivism…

Discusses cognitive models of instruction that can help develop new models of Instructional Systems Design (ISD) that include cognitive task analysis to identify mental models; constructive assumptions of learning; working memory and long-term memory; retrieval of new knowledge and skills from long-term memory; and support of metacognitive skills.…

This article affirms that Adlerian therapy--both explicitly and implicitly--is a relational constructivist approach, and consequently may serve as an integrative bridge between cognitive constructivist and social constructivist therapies. Both theory and practice issues are discussed. (Contains 85 references.) (GCP)

Discusses intersubjectivity and examines limitations of radical constructivism. Compares Piaget's positioning of the individual in relation to social life with that of Vygotsky in support of the claim that radical constructivism does not offer enough as an explanation of children's learning of mathematics. (Author/MKR)