This book describes effective ways for principals and teachers to work together for the teachers' growth and the ultimate benefit of students' learning. It provides a solid philosophical foundation for changes in teacher evaluation and staff development, and it analyzes past and current methods and trends in teacher evaluation. The book spells out…

Explores a way to analyze and describe learning derived from both constructivist theoretical considerations and classroom practice. Presents a model describing possible student responses during science lessons. Provides a rationale on the basis of both constructivist theory and tests of the model in middle school science classes. Contains 42…

Draws from studies in the sociology of scientific knowledge to create a new perspective for understanding school science. Merges ethnography and discourse analysis to study science-in-the-making in a physics classroom. Investigates local conceptual ecologies. Contains 55 references. (DDR)

Explores the interaction of gender, sex-typed toys, and the construction of the mathematical topic of fractions as it is taught in schools. (MKR)

Describes an activity designed to make the abstract concept of atomic structure somewhat concrete for students. (JRH)

First-year students (n=369) at an engineering institute were divided into experimental and control groups and given pre- and post-tests. Experimental groups were taught force concepts in mechanics in a constructivist way. Results found the new method helped students understand the interaction idea of the force concept. (MKR)

Argues against a rule-based, algorithmic approach to measurement in introductory chemistry courses. Describes a learning activity that leads students to understand the need for rules and the application of those rules in measurement. (DDR)

Describes a study of preservice teachers (N=30) that provides confirming evidence that students usually use two rational number operator constructs. Discusses the cognitive models of the students' strategies and the notational system used as an analytical tool. Contains 22 references. (DDR)

A study was conducted of the construction of meaning related to new roles and relationships initiated by the Supportive Supervision Model, an approach to teacher supervision and evaluation. Results with 22 educators piloting this approach reveal that organizational members construct paradox differently, and the construction of paradox guides…

Responds to A. L. Brown's 1994 assertion that behaviorism and most learning and developmental research impede theoretical progress and negatively affect educational practice. The author first discusses how Brown inappropriately uses the most outlandish research and practice in the behaviorist tradition as an excuse to reject behaviorism outright,…

Proposes that academic librarians use constructivist learning theory, primarily composition theory, to develop a pedagogy for the reference desk. Implies that reference is a form of teaching, and that to maximize their educational effectiveness, academic librarians need to approach reference transactions as academic conferences where teaching and…

Explores the significance of engagement as a stance toward teaching and learning, noting how engagement can affect the way teachers and students interact in physical education settings and surrounding environments and presenting activities to encourage engagement (develop performance routines, say and switch, roundtable brainstorm, bubble gum…

Teaching with the grain is a teacher education model rooted in constructivism. It has three phases: the teacher describes a specific teaching situation; analyzes the situation by examining its relationship to self, culture, students, curriculum, sponsors, and colleagues; and generates and addresses systemic issues arising from the analysis.…

Discusses models for information skills that include inquiry-oriented activities. Highlights include WebQuest, which uses Internet resources supplemented with videoconferencing; Minnesota's Inquiry Process based on the Big Six model for information problem-solving; Indiana's Student Inquiry Model; constructivist learning models for inquiry; and…

This study aims to establish a theory for planning and practicing mathematics instruction that enables children to actively construct mathematical knowledge. Four types of constructive interactions are recognized on the basis of teaching practice. Processes of the constructive interactions and the requirements for realization of effective…