This paper describes the use of radical constructivism as a basis for curriculum reform in university mathematics courses and reports on research conducted on two of the courses developed, one in geometry and one in problem solving. The theoretical underpinnings of the project are described along with the implications for course design and…

In education, constructivist theories of knowledge have stimulated research, especially in the fields of mathematics and science education. Less attention has been given to the implications of constructivist epistemology for the overall concepts that guide education, such as the ideals of general or civic education or about the canon. This paper…

The present study investigated the effects of text structure in the acquisition of the concept of energy and the overcoming of specific preconceptions associated with it. Cypriot sixth-grade students read either a simple expository text that presented factual information or a refutation text that, in addition to the factual information, it also…

This paper discusses rubrics as models of evaluation within a constructivist learning environment. Reasons why rubrics are an appropriate way of evaluating assignments and aspects of importance that are addressed by rubrics are listed. Several World Wide Web sites to gain an understanding and knowledge base through which to further discuss rubrics…

This research report contains a fairly concise overview of the role of constructivism in the teaching of mathematics and science in Finland. Included papers have been grouped into three parts. The first part, "General Considerations," consists of the seven articles on theoretical considerations, social constructivism, teachers' and pupils'…

This inquiry examines the relationship between the science and writing processes and the implications of that relationship for classroom instruction in the upper elementary grades. Drawing on historical research from constructivism and experiential learning theory, as well as current thought on knowledge and learning process, this study builds a…

This paper describes subjectivist psychology, discussing its use for guiding teaching and learning. Subjectivist psychology focuses on joint cognitive and affective experiences of learning. It describes the natural affective-cognitive enculturation processes that children experience in learning the skills, understandings, and values of their…

In most strategy research, the focus is on ready-made models provided by the teacher or a textbook. However, in this research project the effects are described of an experimental program in primary maths education, concerning the construction and use of models by pupils in guided co-construction. Learning how to construct models is said to enhance…

Since the World Wide Web became in 1994 the first new mass medium since television, online learning design has evolved at Internet speed, taking in less than a decade what it took exhibit design over a century to develop in sophistication. Although virtual exhibits consisting of pictures and text are still common, educational Web designers…

Arguably the biggest "buzz word" of the current year has been "learning or knowledge object". To understand the learning object and why it should be such a highly desirable commodity, it is necessary to unpack not only this concept but more importantly revisit some contributing concepts and constructs (more buzz words) that support the building of…

The measurement and description of polygons and paths by elementary school students was studied from a constructivist point of view. A teaching experiment was devised to promote understanding of length based on the hypothesis that as children coordinate their number concept and their one-dimensional/two-dimensional spatial concepts they gain…

This paper reports on a hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) investigation of the relationships among baseline science achievement of students in the Science Co-op Local Systemic Change project (grade 3, N=1,134; grade 6, N=1,482), students' attributes (gender, awareness of the nature of science, attitudes toward science, school science and science…

This document presents information on open learning environments in Adult Basic Education in The Netherlands. It focuses on the role of teacher, tutorial, progress, and evaluation methods. Several task groups address the four dimensions in a learning environment: accommodation, time, infrastructural, and social psychological. Through independent…

Reports on the use of a survey to assess college science classroom learning environments. Recommends that college science instructors carefully examine their instructional techniques in light of decreased enrollment in such courses. Contains 21 references. (DDR)

Explores the extent to which student questions are indicative of understanding as well as strategies for encouraging questioning. Student questions are categorized as consolidation questions, exploratory questions, and elaboration questions. (DDR)