Explains how misconceptions act as barriers to learning and must be addressed by teachers in the delivery of instruction. Points out that if misconceptions are not overcome, no new learning will result from a student's time in the classroom. Reports the results of an action research project that concluded that the majority of students make no…

Suggests that it is important to introduce liberal arts students to the essence of engineering. Describes Robotic Design Studio, a course in which students learn how to design, assemble, and program robots made out of LEGO parts, sensors, motors, and small embedded computers. Represents an alternative vision of how robot design can be used to…

Presents three basic epistemological positions (empiricism, nativism, and constructivism) and argues that Maria Montessori's educational practice reflected all three positions. Describes how the constructivist position is reflected in the High/Scope program, and compares and contrasts this position with that of Montessori. Asserts that although…

Discusses the elements of constructivist instruction/teaching. Constructivism is seen as ultimate decentralization, with student and teacher able to make decisions regarding what and how they learn. The few studies on leadership and constructivism note the power of constructivist leadership in decentralizing schools and even classes or teams, with…

Describes a reform effort for the undergraduate curriculum utilizing action-based research teams that developed, implemented, and assessed constructivist approaches to teaching undergraduate science content. Results indicate that the collaborative action-based research process was effective in contributing to the reform of undergraduate teaching.…

Case studies were constructed for four prospective teachers who were purposely selected as a result of their scores on the Classroom Learning Environment Survey (CLES) to gain a better understanding of emerging constructivist beliefs and classroom practices. Finds two kinds of beliefs, central beliefs defined as those dictating subsequent teaching…

Classifies ethnomathematics in relation to the teaching of formal, academic mathematics. Investigates whether ethnomathematics should replace academic mathematics, be a supplement to the mathematics curriculum, be used as a springboard for academic mathematics, or be taken into consideration when preparing learning situations. Suggests that only…

Describes a study investigating the effects of short-term interventions on preservice elementary teachers' understanding of the topic of ozone depletion and whether complex issues can be dealt with successfully through short-term intervention. Reports that preservice teachers' understanding improved through a short-term intervention using a mix of…

Reviews evidence on the effectiveness of "sequence of teaching activities" on student learning and the design and evaluation of science teaching sequences. Discusses the social constructivist perspective on learning and offers a generalized approach to planning a science teaching sequence. Provides an example of how to plan an…

Investigates primary students' conceptions of acid rain formation and its consequences to people and the environment before and after a 10-hour constructivist teaching intervention. Reports improvement in conceptions of physical and chemical phenomena among the experimental group participants. (Contains 23 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes the extent to which an elementary teacher used teaching principles based on constructivism after attending an inservice program. Use of the new principles was influenced by his views of science and of learning, how he usually planned his teaching, and his confidence in his own understanding of the topic. Describes inservice program based…

Contains two parts: (1) excerpts from interviews with Thomas Kieren and Thomas Romberg, and (2) a discussion of the evolution of views of mathematical learning and understanding, including constructivist interpretations, situated cognition, innovative perspectives on classroom research, and the inclusion of a social-interactionist Vygotskian…

Provides suggestions and concerns for integrating open learning and distance education concepts into a course designed for adult lifelong learners. Topics include a shift in educational paradigms from teacher-centered to learner-centered approaches, constructivism, restructuring the social context, and the use of media. (LRW)

Offers a critique of constructivism in science education that is an attempt to define and identify not only the weaknesses, but also the successes of constructivism. Proposes that an alternative of modest realism offers not only a better representation of the practice of science, but additionally some value in determining issues of pedagogy.…

Discusses constructivist teaching, students' mathematical knowledge, activating prior knowledge, hypothetical learning trajectory, and reflection in teaching mathematics, all in reaction to Simon's model of constructivist pedagogy. (24 references) (MKR)