Used observations and theory of mind interviews to examine the impact of a program to increase the complexity of shared pretend play in 4-year-olds. Found that the amount and complexity of shared pretense increased for the play training group and performance on theory-of-mind tasks significantly improved for the play training group but not for the…

Investigates possibilities for and manifestations of collaborative work with pairs of kindergarten students as they worked on tasks designed to promote early number development. Students generated four strategies, and three themes emerged from the analysis of the cooperative solutions. Contains 34 references. (Author/ASK)

Explores the use of a constructivist approach to enable students to examine what causes the seasons. Describes an activity based on a multiple choice question and includes a summary organized using a learning cycle. (DDR)

Investigates the mental models that people construct about magnetic phenomena. Involves students, physics teachers, engineers, and practitioners. Proposes five models following a progression from simple description to a field model. Contains 28 references. (DDR)

Discusses critical pedagogy in teacher education and defines constructivist practices. Describes the structure of an English-as-a-Second-Language endorsement program, and focuses on Awareness Week, describing the role of student leadership in the program and the supporting role of the faculty and the coursework. (Author/VWL)

Describes how one elementary level special educator taught reading to special needs students by implementing a word wall using brain-based learning and constructivist concepts, which led to student and teacher empowerment. The paper also looks at the benefits of using authentic literature-based reading strategies. (SM)

Considers how the principles of constructivism are fundamental to good literacy instruction and provide a framework for developmentally appropriate practices in schools. Concludes that the Literacy Orientation Survey (LOS) can provide teachers with a measuring stick to gauge their current progress and can help them make decisions about what they…

Investigates the effect of instruction on preservice science teachers' conceptions of the scientist. Involves preservice teachers (n=26) and adopts a constructivist teaching approach. Concludes that whereas remediating strategies enhance understanding, students' worldview has a greater effect on meaningful learning. (Contains 37 references.)…

Analyzes senior high school students' astronomy conceptions by means of a written questionnaire presented during the beginning of the first semester. (Contains 42 references.) (Author/YDS)

Discussion of system dynamics and interactive learning environments focuses on collaboration and constructivity to develop expertise in complex domains. Highlights include advances in learning theory; the ability to construct models and use them for experimentation; and the need for a more rigorous approach to evaluation of learning outcomes.…

Explains four instructional approaches with varied learning processes and provides guidelines for the use of each. Describes receptive instruction, that is highly controlled; behavioral instruction that assumes learning occurs through a gradual building of skills; the situated guided discovery approach, including constructivism and social…

Describes a process used to develop a constructivist, student-created curriculum. Focuses on how objectives were accomplished by forming an alliance with a computer teacher to carry out a collaborative project for high school and elementary school students. (DGM)

This opinion paper discusses several issues surrounding questions of ChemCom and STS courses taken by science majors. Explores the basis for a potential mismatch students having an STS-based course may experience. Discusses objectivism and constructivism. (MKR)

Responds to the argument that science education has to be a purposeful induction going beyond personal experience and personal knowledge. Speculates about what kind of intervention is appropriate and when. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

Discusses constructivism as philosophy, as learning theory, and applied to the science classroom. Discusses six major recommendations and strategies for science teaching that involve trying to help students change their beliefs to be more in line with those held by the scientific community. Notes activities science teachers can use to make their…