Outlines a teaching strategy designed to promote hands-on, inquiry-type learning. This strategy is based on constructivist principles and reflects much of the current understanding of how children learn science. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Analyzes the use of problem-based learning as a catalyst for developing and implementing curriculum for gifted students that is both challenging and constructivist in approach. It relates metacognition to problem-based learning and describes inservice programs developed for teachers and administrators at the College of William and Mary (Virginia).…

Describes the results of the Global Thinking Project which facilitated student and educator exchanges among 10 schools in Georgia (USA) and Russia during the 1995-96 school year. The student's activity is described as that of a citizen scientist--one who combines the process of science with public policy decision making. (Author/DKM)

Discusses three ways that instructional design theories can change over time: (1) revision via evolution of models to reflect the outcomes that are being achieved with its current use; (2) revision to reflect current understanding of technology; and (3) complete replacement of present theory with another more powerful theory. Describes the…

Comments on the consequences of the death of the rationalist dream, including a loss of nerve in science education that leads some people to doubt the point and the value of teaching science. Argues that the death of this dream is irrelevant. Contains 57 references. (DDR)

Considers the metaphor of science education research as fields of inquiry. Groups the papers that have appeared in Studies in Science Education according to their contribution to the development of this metaphor. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Reviews literature in the field of science education that aids in the mapping of the interface between language and science. Lists six categories of disputes regarding the status and value of science and scientific ideas. Contains 181 references. (DDR)

Argues that scientific knowledge in school is a social construct in which curriculum proposals are simply points of departure that are transformed by the social interaction that takes place within the classroom. Considers discourse as playing an important role in knowledge construction. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Examines issues posed by cases involving murder of children by children, including the Bulger case in England and the Redergard case in Norway, which, though not typical, articulate how changes in notions of childhood mesh with change in major social institutions. Addresses concerns about pursuit of justice for children and analyzes relationships…

Examines the constructivist educational philosophy. Highlights include the significance of written materials, the aims of education, the subjective base of constructivism, the need for more understanding of social and cognitive processes, the limitation of consciousness to the present, the need for constructs and constructs of objects,…

Considers ways to reform social studies education, beginning with preservice teacher education. Topics include constructivism, appropriate use of technology, modeling, reflecting, active student involvement, developing a community of learners, and student attitudes regarding preservice teacher education. (LRW)

Describes the use of concept maps as a metacognitive tool to help chemistry teachers and learners improve teaching and learning. Concept maps were used in response to changes in the conceptions of the nature of scientific knowledge and in how learning occurs. Concept maps are valuable in documenting and exploring the restructuring of conceptual…

Provides details of a study that examined interactions and questioning patterns in the electronic communication exchanges of students (N=21) enrolled in a course designed to provide direction in using an electronic network as an instructional medium. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Examines technopositivism as a marketed ideology and follows the marketing strategies that appropriate and redefine educational goals and problems, exploring the alleged link between constructivism and technology, considering how teacher education and standard-setting bodies perpetuate this contestable association, and suggesting some deliberately…

Tested the effects of prior knowledge and two instructional models--structured problem solving and guided generation (GG)--on mathematical problem solving and transfer to an analogous task. Data on students with high and low prior knowledge highlighted significant main effects for prior knowledge, significant differences on transfer to analogous…