Reviews changes in the original Dick and Carey model of instructional design and considers its future usefulness. Topics include alternative instructional design textbooks, the influence of constructivist theory on the 1996 version of the model with its systems approach, and the influence of constructivist and objectivist models. (Author/LRW)

This article focuses on research findings concerning the relationship between young children's computer use in the classroom and constructivist education. Three ways of using computers emerged: computers as books or workbooks; computers for word processing; and computer programming of graphics. It was concluded that word processing was most…

Discusses emerging trends in education that are related to being digital. Highlights include the mind's processes and structures, including the cognitive spectrum, constructivism, and situated cognition; mass customization, including learning styles; context; our rapidly expanding knowledge base, including lifelong learning and just-in-time…

Examines two conflicting educational theories: constructivism and positivism. Constructivism sees human knowledge of the external environment as constructed and based upon the subjective observer, whereas positivism sees knowledge as fixed for scientific testing. Discusses their implications in the field of instructional development and recommends…

Documents the learning constructed by two preservice teachers. One illustrates how preservice teachers interpret children's literature to help them understand and apply academic theory. The other highlights how preservice teachers generate their own theories about the nature of teaching, learning, and classrooms while interpreting children's…

To improve the teaching skills of peer educators in Iowa Extension, workshops exposed them to constructivist and transformative approaches to adult education. Attendees identified two challenges as impediments to adopting or adapting the contemporary model for adult education: low confidence in facilitating discussions and concerns about…

Technology is driving much of education, but learning is socially constructed. Learning, including electronic forms, should be designed to create a social learning environment. This can help bridge the divide between the "analog" professor and the "digital" student. (SK)

Studied a socio-constructivist model for training teachers in Brazil, in the use of Informatics in education. Findings from a case study of the training of 29 teachers show the importance of care and coherence for knowledge creation in the socio-constructivist training model. (SLD)

Points out the importance of an understanding of a sense of scale and presents an activity that uses distance or time as a measure. The activity illustrates for students what the universe would look like at various scales. (DDR)

Three studies of how workers construct knowledge associated with vocational practice were examined within a framework classifying dispositions as interest, attitudes, and values. Findings suggest that dispositions are rooted in individual history and participation in communities of practice and that consideration of how cognitive structures…

Observations of and interviews with a class of adult learners using an organizational behavior simulation explored how they applied difficult concepts within an ill-structured environment. Group competition inhibited communication and application of knowledge; in an atmosphere of trust, learners empower themselves, enabling articulation of…

Explains a large basic course on world regional geography. Introduces students to 10 maxims about the many factors that help define a place's character. Student reactions to the maxims were found to be largely positive. (Author/SOE)

Explores the relationships among teachers' beliefs about teaching science, learning science, and the nature of science. Investigates (n=37) Taiwanese science teachers' views on teaching, learning, and science and categorizes them into three groups--traditional, process, or constructivist. Identifies closely aligned beliefs as "nested…

Describes constructivism as an educational theory promoted by the National Council of Teachers of Education (NCTM), the ideals of NCTM's standards, the validity of NCTM's approach, and the research behind NCTM's recommendations. Includes examples of what teachers can do to promote student construction of knowledge in the classroom and resources…

Developed an experimental curriculum for vocational higher education in the Netherlands that attempted to organize students' learning in a constructivist, competence-oriented manner and evaluated the assessment procedures. Findings show a high degree of individualization was reached, but respondents had concerns about the lack of standardization…