From a science perspective, inquiry-oriented instruction engages students in the investigative nature of science. Inquiry involves activity and skills, but the focus is on the active search for knowledge or understanding to satisfy a curiosity. This digest further describes the distinguishing features of inquiry-oriented science instruction and…

Since 1991, the problem-based learning (PBL) approach has been incorporated into the distance education program culminating in a Bachelor of Building degree from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Newcastle, Australia. The Newcastle conceptual PBL model for on-campus courses was adapted to the special needs of distance learners. The…

This book discusses how the curriculum can be designed, adapted, and delivered in general education classrooms that are attempting to promote inclusive communities. Chapters include: "Toward Inclusive Classrooms" (Susan Stainback et al.); "Celebrating Diversity, Creating Community: Curriculum that Honors and Builds on Differences" (Mara…

Technology, software, and design activities that have been used to create presentations for a class in visual literacy taught to graduate students in the instructional technology program of Northern Illinois University are described. In the past, the language of visuals was introduced through a slide and tape produced for the class. An additional…

This booklet was developed by early education teachers to help parents teach their children values necessary for learning and for living. The introduction identifies six lifelong values, discusses the important role played by parents in teaching these values, and offers a checklist of positive ways parents interact with their children. Each of the…

Every day, teachers resolve countless conflicts and contradictions. This book deals with the development of informed, problem-solving, decision making skills that will increase the effectiveness of educators. The volume is organized into three sections. The first section explains how schools function as social systems, presents a series of case…

To give students more experience with real situations, many professional schools use case studies in their courses. Creating complex cases, case experiences that immerse students in complex problems, rather than mere case studies that require armchair analysis should help students gain better and more integrated knowledge. Designing, implementing,…

A project of the Center for the Study of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh, this yearbook combines the two major trends/concerns impacting the future of educational development for the next decade: knowledge and thinking. The yearbook comprises the following chapters: (1) "Toward the Thinking Curriculum: An Overview" (Lauren B.…

This program information guide describes two approaches, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) and Active Mathematics Teaching (AMT), for teaching academic skills in mathematics to limited English proficient (LEP) students. CGI is based on four related teacher competencies: knowing how specific mathematical content is organized in children's minds;…

Reports about U.S. schools have indicated the need for improvement of science teaching and learning. One of the solutions advocated calls for classroom contexts that allow for authentic practice under the guidance of teachers who model pertinent skills as practitioners in the field of study. The metaphor used to describe such teaching-learning…

This practicum's goal was to improve the organizational components of a university child care center through the development and implementation of a comprehensive program of evaluation. Several evaluation models were considered. The Context-Input-Process-Product Model was selected for its flexibility in providing formative and summative results,…

This manual contains materials that business teachers can use to teach their students decision-making and problem-solving skills. Each of the five sections can be used individually or in sequence. The following topics are covered: decision making; approaches to problem solving; everyday life problem solving; creative problem solving; and business…

This paper describes a 3-day workshop designed for Wisconsin Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education instructors who taught technical/occupational coursework and focused on problem-solving techniques used in business and industry. Problem-solving techniques were identified through personal and telephone interviews in a sample of 200 training…

The comprehension processes of adult students solving two-step problems of comparison were studied using eye-movement experiments based on the assumption that eye fixations are synchronous with internal cognitive processes. Twenty university students each solved 24 two-step mathematical word problems of three sentences each with consistent…

Using small groups with a cooperative class structure is useful and effective for children's active learning. However in this study, with one exception, six children who had experienced peer group dialogue as the principal means of mathematics and physical science instruction for 2 years (third and fourth grades) from a single teacher demonstrated…