Discusses the various conflicting trends in mechanics education that have appeared over the past two decades, especially as related to conceptual change teaching and learning. Proposes the theory of schemata as a means to resolve the conflict that exists within the literature. Contains 82 references. (Author/WRM)

Discusses the future of online education for distance education on a global scale as well as for lifelong learning opportunities. Describes research conducted at the University of Southern Queensland that addressed three student models, the independent learner, interactive learner, and collaborative learner; constructivism; the expertise…

Indicates the lack of professional development of preservice teachers on student evaluation. Discusses some assessment strategies and performance assessment. (YDS)

Investigates how groups of teachers in the United States and Russia conceptualize global education and the role of an integrated curriculum within it. Addresses the various teaching practices that evolve from the teachers' understanding of global education and integrating the curriculum and the effect their ideas have on school reform. (CMK)

Urges "watering up" the curriculum for adolescents with learning disabilities and identifies principles associated with making knowledge construction more meaningful. Offered are specific instructional techniques for use in inclusive settings, such as focusing on teaching big ideas, promoting elaboration, relating to real-world contexts, and…

Presents a teacher's experiences with teaching fractions by employing the constructivist approach. Concludes that children will go much further with depth, pleasure, and confidence if they are allowed to construct their own mathematics to make sense to them every step of the way. (ASK)

Discusses what the multiage classroom environment is and what the curriculum and inquiry schedule look like. Describes one school's integrated curriculum, constructivist process, and use of language arts as a tool. Describes scheduling days that tend to consist of literacy workshop, centers, math workshop, and hands-on project time. Discusses…

Describes a study on the extent to which different children hold animistic notions and the meaning of those notions. Explores the idea of preservice science teachers as researchers. (DDR)

Argues that teachers are challenged to understand how constructivism can serve as a referent for teaching. Discusses one approach that provides opportunities for teachers to practice innovative strategies while engaging in discourse about the process. Contains 25 references. (DDR)

Presents a study that uses a quasi-ethnographic methodology employing impressionistic tales of the field to explore constraints and successes encountered by teachers while implementing innovative teaching approaches in middle school classrooms. A new middle school structure blended elementary and secondary school cultures. Presents three tales…

Surveys of teacher educators in 24 teacher education programs nationwide examined their use of teaching portfolios with preservice teachers. The educators provided documents, assignments, and guidelines used in connection with portfolios. Results showed that they recognized the positive impact, but not the full value, of portfolios. Portfolio use…

Defines computer conferencing as teaching that involves students performing their learning activities in shared (networked) computer workplaces. Asserts that lecturing does not ensure learning, nor is it effective in showing students how to learn independently. Presents computer conferencing as a practical way to merge instructivism and…

Presents an attempt to improve teaching and learning strategies for science as addressed by prospective teachers. Discovers that prospective teachers share a number of misconceptions with students. Contains 19 references. (DDR)

Analyzes talk among students on videotaped recordings from a teaching sequence on the particle model. Emphasizes the role of two types of discourse and epistemological and ontological obstacles in the construction of scientific meanings in the classroom. Contains 41 references. (DDR)

Describes online mentoring, or "telementoring" relationships, and how they differ from traditional mentoring, apprenticeship, and tutoring. Discusses the design and use of a telementored curriculum unit in middle school science and provides a set of general guidelines to aid teachers and administrators in designing and carrying out their own…