A constructivist approach to teacher education is needed so that students in schools can develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. To promote constructivism in schools, preservice teachers must engage in constructivist processes throughout their education. The paper describes a program that uses technology to integrate constructivist…

Describes how teachers and students used observation and documentation to create connected learning experiences and plan curriculum. Discusses using photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, written notes, drawings, and dialogue as observation techniques to support curriculum development. (DLH)

A review of 154 research studies found that mathematics education reform contributed to higher student achievement only when there was substantial implementation of reform. The main obstacle to implementation was teacher beliefs about mathematics teaching. The best method for increasing implementation is sustained inservice teacher education that…

Examines experiences of a 5- and 7-year-old entering a U.S. early childhood program in context of child development theory, constructivist philosophy, and the Japanese social teaching model. Urges educators to consider alternatives to "tourist approach" in multicultural education and ways to translate individual differences into learning…

Documents changes in 2 elementary teachers' thinking about instruction in reading or math after 1.5 years as participants in in-service programs designed to promote constructivist teaching practices. Interviews conducted before and after the programs indicated that, over time, teachers gave stronger emphasis to inquiry as a component of a subject…

Discusses copyright issues related to the use of multimedia in higher education. Highlights include student impetus for change; constructivism; growth of the Internet; faculty copyright buybacks; lack of university multimedia policy; student and faculty productions; transmission and downloading; educational music licensing; a video clearinghouse;…

Student behaviors that best predicted mathematics learning in peer-directed small groups among students who needed help were studied with 166 seventh graders. Tape recordings of student interaction confirmed that receiving explanations and carrying out constructive activity were predictors of achievement. (SLD)

Proposes a theory for organizing information and activities in educational hypermedia systems and evaluates theory effectiveness based on implementation of a multimedia learning environment. Results suggest that self-paced interactive learning environments, multimedia information access, and constructive activities organized into cognitive media…

Presents a view of the interplay among the various factors of personal experience, language, and socialization in the process of learning science in classrooms. Discusses the problematic relations among scientific knowledge, the learning of science, and pedagogy. (GLR)

Proposes a model for intelligent computer-aided education systems that is based on cooperative learning, constructive problem-solving, object-oriented programming, interactive user interfaces, and expert system techniques. Future research is discussed, and a prototype for teaching mathematics to 10- to 12-year-old students is appended. (LRW)

Describes multimedia CAL software with CAD/expert systems capabilities designed for use in environmental education for fourth- through sixth-grade children. The software is based on concepts of situated learning and knowledge constructivism, provides a learning environment that supports a student's decision making, and provides online feedback.…

Discusses the distribution of curriculum ideas over the Internet. Considers the need for productivity software for curriculum development by classroom teachers, and introduces "Teacher's Curriculum Assistant," software designed for this purpose. Describes a constructivist curriculum and provides an example of a problem-solving…

Curricular expertise is reflected in teachers' abilities to select and convey content appropriate to the learner within a particular contextual setting and situation. The article describes traditional conceptualizations of knowledge and beliefs, focusing on relationships between the two concepts that promote a greater understanding of curricular…

Presents guidelines derived from cognitive and constructivist learning theory and instructional design literature for designing effective hypermedia-based courseware. Topics addressed include the influence of learning theory, hypertext and hypermedia, courseware design factors, learner interaction variables, practice, feedback, learner control,…

Describes the development of the ability to identify a ratio as the appropriate measure of a given attribute by (n=26) prospective elementary teachers. It was concluded that traditional procedural approaches to teaching ratios do not challenge students to develop their own mathematical models of the world. (21 references) (MKR)