The five articles of this sourcebook, organized around the five-component framework for evaluation described by W. Shadish, T. Cook, and L. Leviton (1991), present a new theory of realist evaluation that captures the sensemaking contributions of postpositivism and the sensitivity to values from the constructivist traditions. (SLD)

Studies two classrooms, one of which uses computers as a student tool for mathematics exploration and the other which utilizes the computer as a presentation tool. Concludes that technology utilization was tightly linked with the underlying instructional philosophy and approach. Contains 32 references. (Author/ASK)

Examines ways to integrate technology into social studies, science, mathematics, and language arts. Describes model elementary and middle-school classrooms in which technology is used to investigate the concept of property, study soil porosity and the water cycle, run a student store, and promote environmental activism. (PEN)

Finds that children are naturally generative in their construction of explanations but that they use conceptions in quite complex and fluid ways. Argues that naive conceptions maintain a valuable function. Contains 43 references. (DDR)

Focuses on cognitive and affective changes that occurred in one student during the study of heat and temperature. Initially the student's conceptual framework was undifferentiated with regard to heat and temperature; however, course activities and concomitant use of concept substitution helped the student differentiate these concepts and integrate…

A constructivist framework based on active listening, interpretation, and dialog was used to initiate collaborative research and development among farmers, researchers, and advisers. The method overcame polarized, conflictual communication about sustainable land use. (SK)

Key aspects of student difficulty with proportional reasoning can be understood only when the social and cultural contexts in which it is embedded are considered. A constructivist, interpretive case study provided insights into physics students' associations between cultural heritage, world views, societal expectations, authoritarianism,…

Examined the potential of constructivist learning environments for developing prerequisites of expert knowledge during university studies. Compared learning outcomes of 16 Finnish students in a constructivist environment with outcomes of 23 students learning under traditional conditions. Students in the constructivist environment acquired more…

Demonstrates the need for a process-oriented, constructivist approach to understanding infants' categorization abilities. Suggests that emphasizing the distinction between perceptual and conceptual categorization has been an obstacle to forging an approach. Proposes a more microanalytic consideration of features available to infants at different…

Two elementary school teachers puzzled over their students' fascination with using a paint spinner to make art, and feared that the "mindless" spinner was using valuable class time in which creative activities were intended to promote innovative thinking. Years later, a former student explained how the spinner accomplished the teachers' goal. (SV)

Describes four 50-minute lessons in which complex numbers are introduced to year-12 calculus students using hand-held calculators and laptop computers. (ASK)

Discusses the complexity of chemistry concepts and the identification of instructional barriers in terms of current learning theories. Recommends teaching to improve students' conceptual understanding. Contains 34 references. (WRM)

Social science, science, and business majors and undecided students (n=168) received environmental-sociology instruction based on constructivism. Ecology attitudes of science and social science students changed the most. Science majors had higher scores than did business majors on the Ecological Worldview Scale. (SK)

Describes a recent computer-supported cooperative-learning (CSCL) project called TSCL (Telematic (and IT) Supported Co-operative Learning) which builds upon distributed knowledge and constructivism. It takes the opportunity of Internet-based communication tools to allow students to participate in nonschool environments such as expert discussions,…

Considers how to integrate theory, research, and practice in human performance technology. Discusses human learning; market pull versus knowledge push; using inquiry to connect theory, research, and practice; constructivist examples; behavioral and cognitive approaches; and differences in research methodologies. (Contains 13 references.) (LRW)