Argues that teaching technology without reference to the human need which calls for it gives students the wrong idea about the nature of technology and hides the importance of testing artifacts for operation in the relevant environment. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

Explores the notion that some social interactions are more conducive to the construction of knowledge than others. Describes the use of argumentation as a learning tool during play by analyzing transcripts of the interactions of four-and-a-half year olds. Derives implications for early childhood education from these examples and from a theoretical…

Investigates how participants (39 teenagers and 10 college-age online mentors) interacted and constructed shared knowledge of concepts, goals, tasks, procedures, and solutions when solving a real-world problem in an Internet-mediated project-based learning environment (iExpeditions). The main focus of the study was on how different patterns of…

Investigates the potential for using case-based pedagogy as a context for collaborative inquiry into the teaching and learning of elementary science. Uses two teacher-generated case narratives that serve as the centerpiece for deliberation around key tensions that reflect both the struggles and positive aspects of teacher learning that took place.…

Discusses the integration and usefulness of assistive technology devices for students with special needs. Highlights include learning theories and the integration of technology, including behaviorism and constructivism; and assistive devices for speech and language impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and…

Describes a lab involving a cloud formation activity that uses the constructivist learning model to get students more involved in creating the lab. Enables students to develop a greater understanding of the concepts involved and more interest in the lab's outcomes. (JRH)

Introduces theme issue on Piagetian constructivist perspective on children's understanding. Summarizes feature articles which argue that teaching should be based on Piaget's theory; and elucidate the development of social and moral understanding, perspective-taking, play, written language, friendship and popularity, and mathematics. Emphasizes the…

Describes how games in elementary school classroom can be used to assess children's mathematical reasoning and provide instruction. Examples of "test questions" to which the teacher already knew the answer and "honest questions" regarding how the student approached the mathematics problems within a game context are given. Games…

Describes the development of Casebook of Project Practices (CaPPs) to help teachers learn a constructivist approach to science teaching--project-based science. Presents a study using CaPPs in a teacher development institute. Implications concern backgrounds teachers bring to the use of multimedia and how these backgrounds influence how they use…

Argues that active learning is the way to engage students in learning biology. Discusses the use of constructivism in biology instruction, resistance to cooperative learning, creating constructivist-based activities, and grading cooperative activities. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

The tradition of the active mind views knowledge as provisionally constructed by the mind in perpetual interaction with the world. There are no substitutes for students' and teachers' consistent application of intelligence and steady thinking. A problem-based-learning approach to teacher education exemplifies John Dewey's laboratory model.…

Discusses problems that arise when computer software users have to learn a new system while maintaining productivity. Highlights include active learning; a constructivist view; Vygotsky's zone of proximal development; and a model called Design for Learnability (DesiL) that focuses the performance technologist on an ethnomethodological study of…

Explores the desconstructive view of disability through an analysis of stories using criteria derived from constructivist principles of narrative therapy. Parents' narratives define and deconstruct the dominant discourse about being the parent of a child with disabilities and reveal insights about the impact of stereotypic views of disability.…

Examines the relationship between teacher perceptions of their constructivist behaviors and use of technology in their classrooms. Results indicate that integrated technology use and strong technology skills may be factors that encourage constructivist practices. Implications for school reform and technology training for elementary and secondary…

Describes development and testing of the Literacy Orientation Survey (LOS)--an instrument for assessing teachers' beliefs about literacy learning and classroom practices as related to constructivism. Finds while LOS has robust internal validity and reliability, questions remain about external validity of teachers' self-reports of their…