Illustrates an approach to research-based teaching strategies and their evaluation. Addresses a teaching sequence on the superposition of electric fields implemented at the college level in an institutional framework subject to severe constraints. Contains 28 references. (DDR)

Discusses the role of chemical-equation problem solving in helping students predict reaction products. Methods for helping students learn this process must be taught to students and future teachers by using pedagogical skills within the content of chemistry. Emphasizes that solving chemical reactions should involve creative cognition where…

Describes the use of a weekly elementary science schedule that incorporates students doing hands-on science and inquiry activities, constructing explanations of natural phenomena, and connecting their ideas and thinking. All of the activities and books suggested in the article cover the eight categories of the National Science Education Standards…

Article 1 reviews literature on psychomotor skill acquisition, finding inconclusive research based on a positivist approach. Article 2 reviews theories of skill acquisition. Both reviews will be used to evaluate a skills center for nurses that is based on a constructivist approach. (SK)

Describes the design, development, and implementation of a technology-rich after-school program for middle schools called KLICK (Kids Learning in Computer Klubhouses). Topics include learning activities; learning environments; constructivism; social and organizational arrangements; collaboration; the culture of schooling; and issues of innovation,…

Describes formal, intensive small group activities in large college classes, as well as initiatives to redesign courses around small-group learning. Strategies include "jigsaw," structured controversy, problem-based cooperative learning, and restructured lecture-recitation-laboratory activities. Notes basis of such strategies in constructivist…

Describes an application of the Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI) to measure the effects of two ways to teach about German culture in beginning language courses. Qualitative analysis of results established that the treatment group, taught with constructivist, process-oriented tasks experienced significantly positive results on the CCAI…

Analyses the effectiveness of the "Get Electronics" project that aimed to support 60 science teachers and 60 technology teachers in field courses. Considers the importance of the study of the basics of electricity and electronics at the comprehensive school, and how they succeeded in promoting elective courses by producing new learning…

Describes a constructivist chemistry laboratory approach based on students' personal experiences where students had the opportunity to develop their own experimental processes. Points out both the fruitfulness and difficulties of using a graduate student as a teaching assistant. (YDS)

Describes a study that investigated what uses of technology preservice teacher education students planned for their careers after using constructivist technology tools, specifically semantic networks and expert system generation, in their own course. A qualitative analysis of student essays showed positive student attitudes toward using the same…

Argues that, for a misconception to be abandoned, the learner must come to see it as unsatisfactory. The new conception must be intelligible, plausible, and fruitful. Suggests that students should have an active cognitive involvement in the process. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Reports that creationism has been specifically banned from the Provincial curriculum as a legitimate scientific subject in all public schools and level one private schools in British Columbia. (DDR)

Argues that some common student misconceptions are perpetuated by teachers, textbooks, and rote-learning methods and that strategies to challenge and change these misconceptions are needed. Focuses on misconceptions related to the eye and how it works. (DDR)

Children lacking sufficient mediated learning experiences (MLEs) are ill-prepared to handle the cognitive challenges confronting them at school and cannot benefit even from hands-on learning experiences. Reuven Feuerstein's theory of MLE holds that our cognitive abilities are modifiable, that we can change the course of a child's early cognitive…

Critically analyzes the core ideas of chaos theory to determine whether they are worth teaching and explores the accessibility of these ideas for students. The studies are embedded in a Model of Educational Reconstruction which seeks to bring science content structure concerns and educational concerns into balance and interaction with one another.…