Examines childrens' conceptual frameworks and, recognizing that they may be inaccurate, proposes such teaching strategies to aid students in modifying inadequate frameworks as: asking for ideas, listening respectfully, providing guided experiences, and encouraging discussion in non-threatening settings. Stresses learning as an active, thinking,…

This theoretical paper explores the nature of narrative by examining its key characteristics as a communication tool and an independent mode of thought in the form of a literature review. The first section describes stories or narrative. The second section establishes links between narrative, change, and learning through the concept of…

This study addresses questions about particle physics that focus on the nature of electrons. Speculations as to whether they are more like particles or waves or like neither illustrate the difficulties with which students are confronted when trying to incorporate the concepts of quantum physics into their overall conceptual framework. Such…

Two studies are reported that explore the effectiveness of instruction in promoting students' conceptual understanding of the average concept using a leveling model and an open-ended problem-solving approach. One teacher and her 46 sixth-grade students participated in the first study. One year later, the second study was conducted with the same…

This study reports on the improvement of a teacher researcher's teaching practice by adopting a constructivist teaching approach. Four biology units on the nervous system, human circulatory system, evolution, and vertebrate classification were selected to illustrate a model of biology teaching. Data were drawn from student responses to…

This study compares the results of Australian and Taiwanese Grade 10 students (N=2959) on the Students' Perceptions of Teacher Knowledge (SPOTK) questionnaire. The purposes of this paper are to quantitatively compare the mean scores of each item in the two countries and to use qualitative research methods involving classroom observations and…

Conceptual and methodological limitations have hampered researchers' ability to establish valid, substantively meaningful, and theoretically driven self-report assessments of peer susceptibility. As a result, many assessments of peer susceptibility have been conceptualized as unidimensional and void of any theoretical underpinnings. This study…

This paper discusses the establishment of a connection between cognitive concepts and knowledge acquired through English-as-a-Second-Language teaching and learning. Modern thinking focuses on effective application of common global knowledge and language skills appropriate for culturally diverse students. The article suggests that a cognitive…

This particular bulletin is concerned with the concept of human rights, and the interpretation of some of these rights in the classroom, in the school, at home, and in the community. Although the discussion is directed toward the classroom teacher primarily, principals, supervisors, administrators, and parents who want children to succeed in all…

Criticizes a proposed approach to teaching physics in terms of energy carriers (SE 532 196), arguing that it requires energy to be thought of as a substance which can flow. Discusses problems related to concept formation and logical difficulties with the curriculum, considering several contradictions to physics principles which may arise. (JM)

Discusses psychological applications for science curriculum and instruction, addressing difficulty in learning science (Piagetian theory); meaningful learning (reformulation, application, making use of prior knowledge, learner involvement); value of practical work (acquisition of skills, enhancing learning, motivation); and affective aspects…

Investigates and substantiates the effectiveness of the peer teaching approach on the ability of preservice elementary teachers (N=60) to acquire concepts selected from the Elementary Science Methodology Course and on their attitudes towards science and elementary school science. (CS)

The Canadian Readiness Test Learning Rate subtest and the Auditory Reception and Spatial Relations Concepts subtests on the Experimental Reading Readiness Test show high reliability in measuring the reading readiness of beginning first graders. The Experimental Test has a high coefficient of reliability as a total test. (SB)

To measure the development of formal thought, as defined by Piaget and Peel, separate tests on judgment, creativity, concept formation and concept attainment were administered to 1,710 subjects, ages eight to adult. (CP)

Describes the author's personal version of the action research cycle, focusing on two research experiences to point out what can be learned from research involving listening to language learners. Suggests that one can learn in two different and equally important ways; one can learn about the research question studied and about how to improve the…