Teaching the Internet is hard because the technology keeps changing, the system is complex, the environment is relatively unstable, and it is hard to know how much one needs to know in order to successfully use the Internet. The Internet is a pseudo-complex knowledge domain--the "rules" vary, and it is hard to tell which are the…

The knowledge that students bring to the classroom has been a well-studied domain. The types of knowledge studied have included content knowledge as well as epistemological beliefs that students hold. This study focuses specifically on preservice elementary education students' understanding of science and science learning as a meaning-making…

This report contains papers from the Nordic Conference on Mathematics Teaching (NORMA-94). The first three papers are plenary talks aimed at giving the participants an opportunity to form a coherent view of the new theories of learning. The themes of the paper sessions addressed a variety of topics on different levels from elementary school to…

In this inaugural issue of "Brookings Papers on Education Policy" a varied group of scholars considers different dimensions of student performance. Several contributors try to offer a clear picture of how American students are performing as compared with their international peers and with the past. The following are included: (1) "Introduction"…

This paper reports on a study that used Hestenes' Force Concept Inventory (FCI) to describe Newtonian force concepts and misconception belief systems held by preservice teachers in physical science and physics students attending an urban university in Chicago, Illinois. Results indicate that constructivist instruction in force concepts was of…

This document consists of four issues of a newsletter for educators at the elementary level. Each issue features articles on a specific theme along with regular columns. The Fall 1999 issue focuses on the role of autonomy in the elementary classroom using the constructivist approach. A second article presents fire and Halloween safety tips. The…

This study examined the effectiveness of Reflections: A Systemic Change Model, a staff development model based on the concepts of systemic change, constructivism, and paradigm shift. A pilot study was conducted to determine whether the model was realistic, feasible, and effective. It occurred during 1998 in a 6-week summer school supervision…

This paper focuses on the purposes, theoretical model, and functionality of the SMILE (Solution Mapping Intelligent Learning Environment) Maker--a World Wide Web-based problem-solving tool. From an instructional design point of view, an attempt to establish a balance between constructivism/instructivism, content-treatment…

This article discusses the effects of the Regional Technology Assistance Program (RETA) on the teaching practices and collegial behaviors of its participants and instructors. It presents findings that suggest that, as a result of their involvement in RETA's ongoing, peer-directed, constructivist-based professional development workshops, teacher…

Developing a course for online study by off-campus students requires a major change of approach to teaching and learning. This study outlines the constructivist theoretical basis and the approach to teaching applied in the development of a humanities course. The study includes analysis of the turning points in the students' learning as identified…

This book is designed to bridge the gap between the reality of professional practice and what is being written about it in professional publications. It is divided into three sections, focusing on the techniques of assessment, transgenerational techniques, and constructivist techniques. Section one argues that assessment is the basis of all…

Until very recently, with the exception of adult religious education, spirituality has been given little attention in mainstream academic adult education. This may be because spirituality is difficult to define and can be confused with religion. The subject of spirituality is currently a theme in workplace and human resource development…

This paper proposes a context-driven model of instructional design incorporating constructivist-oriented methods and strategies for structuring meaningful, purposeful learning environments into the framework of a traditional systematic approach. An evaluation study is also presented that investigated the effects of implementing the context-driven…

This paper describes the changes K-8 teachers made in their conceptions of science, teaching, and learning as they participated in a year-long professional development program. The program was based on principles reflected in the national science education reform initiatives, and focused on the role of teachers as decision makers in promoting…

This document contains the following papers on faculty development and technology: "Involving Faculty in Faculty Development" (Kristine Blair and Dan Madigan); "Technology Use in Higher Education: A Faculty Development Model" (Jessica Kahn); "A Faculty of Education as a Community of Learners: Growing to Meet the Demands of…