Analyzes senior high school students' astronomy conceptions by means of a written questionnaire presented during the beginning of the first semester. (Contains 42 references.) (Author/YDS)

Discussion of system dynamics and interactive learning environments focuses on collaboration and constructivity to develop expertise in complex domains. Highlights include advances in learning theory; the ability to construct models and use them for experimentation; and the need for a more rigorous approach to evaluation of learning outcomes.…

Explains four instructional approaches with varied learning processes and provides guidelines for the use of each. Describes receptive instruction, that is highly controlled; behavioral instruction that assumes learning occurs through a gradual building of skills; the situated guided discovery approach, including constructivism and social…

Describes a process used to develop a constructivist, student-created curriculum. Focuses on how objectives were accomplished by forming an alliance with a computer teacher to carry out a collaborative project for high school and elementary school students. (DGM)

This opinion paper discusses several issues surrounding questions of ChemCom and STS courses taken by science majors. Explores the basis for a potential mismatch students having an STS-based course may experience. Discusses objectivism and constructivism. (MKR)

Responds to the argument that science education has to be a purposeful induction going beyond personal experience and personal knowledge. Speculates about what kind of intervention is appropriate and when. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

Discusses constructivism as philosophy, as learning theory, and applied to the science classroom. Discusses six major recommendations and strategies for science teaching that involve trying to help students change their beliefs to be more in line with those held by the scientific community. Notes activities science teachers can use to make their…

Examines the role of goals in the learning process and reviews another theoretical perspective, experienced cognition as additional justification for the constructivist revolution affecting the field of instructional design. Addresses the implications of experienced cognition for dealing with learning goals and learning environments. (Contains 32…

Explains the role and importance of standards in inquiry-based science teaching and preservice teachers' understanding of Science Teaching Standard A. Focuses on History Content Standard G of the National Science Education Standards (NSES). (YDS)

Presents a historical framework of classroom assessment, highlighting the key tenets of social efficiency curricula, behaviorist learning theories, and scientific measurement. Offers a contrasting social-constructivist conceptual framework that blends key ideas from cognitive, constructivist, and sociocultural theories. Elaborates on ways that…

Presents a soybean project designed with an interdisciplinary approach that includes the stages of planting soybeans, studying the impact of rhizobium bacteria on soybean root development, synthesizing the raw oil to methyl ester, testing of biodiesel on a hybrid electric car, and studying the commodities market. Integrates plant science,…

Explains the process of developing the unit "Building an Aquarium" and introduces four hands-on activities which include teaching students how to read a metric ruler, observing and illustrating an aquatic plant, learning fish anatomy, and learning animal behavior. (YDS)

Describes how a team designed an Open University (United Kingdom) distance learning course that explicitly attempted to help students acquire the learning characteristics of mature and capable practitioners in the field. Explains how the learning-to-learn goals of the course included experiential and constructivist perspectives of learning.…

Addresses the need for a change to constructivistic education in a computer literacy course. It was determined that a constructivistic approach was needed that would allow students to "cut their puppet strings" and become independent thinkers who constructed personal knowledge of database software, the Internet, and higher-order thinking…

Discusses the correspondence between constructivist design and the creation of multimedia projects. Argues that if students and teachers are exposed to multimedia presentations and are offered opportunities to participate in workshops or classroom activities using multimedia technology, those with interest will use it to demonstrate content area…