Examines the place of caring, constructivist learning, and community in teachers' professional development. Professional-learning communities provide a conversational space for connecting teachers' personal, practical knowledge in the classroom with the larger professional-knowledge landscape. Profiles two professional-development initiatives that…

Utilizes a psychological-constructivist perspective to examine the transitions that students make from arithmetic to algebra in the context of problems that, from an expert's perspective, involve the concept of linear inequality. Reports that students who completed a transition to algebra operated at higher levels of reflective abstraction than…

Argues that, because intelligence is discovered, developed, and constructed, middle-school curriculum and teaching must change to embrace this cognitive revolution. Advocates that middle-school social-studies teachers redirect the rationale and focus of the curriculum to promote thinking, self-direction, making choices, solving problems and…

Reports on research into the gaps and silences present in policies, pedagogy, and research in environmental education from a feminist perspective. (Author/CCM)

Describes the results of an analysis of Spanish high school chemistry textbooks (n=58) published from 1974 to 1998 for their treatment of metallic bonding. Reports on what aspects of metallic bonding are usually taught, how it is taught, and the potential that textbooks have to create meaningful learning in students. Contains 104 references.…

States that by using the constructivist model for learning, schools can create a culture that values collaboration, promotes self-reliance, and prepares students with critical-handling skills. Summarizes activities teachers can utilize to promote constructivist learning by incorporating the use of technology. Considers different types of…

Educators involved in the current mathematics-education-reform movement recommend that students be actively involved in constructing their own knowledge and developing powerful mathematical concepts. Suggests ways in which ideas based on constructivist learning theory can be put into practice in a preservice-mathematics-education class. Contains…

Discusses an approach to the first day of general chemistry class that utilizes principles of constructivism, collaborative and cooperative groups, and student-centered learning. (CCM)

Considers the role of cognition in language learning and explores constructivism and Bloom's taxonomy of higher-order thinking skills. Topics include four basic types of computer assisted language learning, cognitive development, and the Internet. Lists pertinent resources, including printed materials, journals, and Web sites. (Contains 90…

Discusses proper planning and project management techniques. Suggests tips for selecting a first project and instructional design based on constructivism, and introducing computer-based training into the curriculum. (Author/CCM)

Examines the historical background of mastery learning, discussing computer assisted instruction (CAI), cooperative learning, and constructivist learning as related to mastery learning. CAI is described as a tool to help teachers when using mastery learning. Comparisons between cooperative and mastery learning are made, and support for research…

Indicates the reasons for the lack of success of lecture method among high school students. Compares the constructivist approach to the objectivist approach and discusses student learning differences. Makes recommendations for student learning needs. (Contains 37 references.) (YDS)

Examines strategies used by classroom teachers for including students with severe multiple disabilities in general elementary education classrooms. Conducted interviews and participant observations and used categorical coding procedures to identify themes related to instructional practices in these classrooms. Examines the impact of three theories…

Examines the merits of situated learning, constructivism, and feminist pedagogy as educational reforms. In each case, the theoretical construct is described, justified (in terms of why it improves learning experiences), and defended based on research in the field. The constraints on systemic change and the problem of seeing its implementation to…

Reports on important learning processes that emerged during adult mathematics classes that used a teaching approach compatible with a social constructivist theory of knowing. Concludes that affective processes precipitated students' responsiveness, modifying the immediate learning context which influenced student thinking, creating a snowball…