In this classroom a child introduced the word "split" when he was asked to describe his mental activity in performing the addition of two numbers; the teacher initiated a spatial representation using a broken line. Subsequently, the children used their own pictorial representations. The paper presents an analysis of the numerical diagrams used by…

In an effort to examine the impact of the changes being made at San Jose State University (California) in the calculus curriculum, multiple measures were collected and analyzed. This study focuses on the relationship between performance on a pretest and the class grade. Through written responses on the pretest, a belief and knowledge profile for…

Fifth grade children's (n=16) understandings of simple fractions such as 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 were investigated. The study identified three alternative conceptions of fractions: (1) 1/"N" is one of "N equal" parts, (2) 1/N is one of "N equal" parts, and (3) parts must fit together to form the whole. In addition, many…

The implications of the 1994 Seels and Richey domain structure for instructional technology (IT) conceptual theory and classification systems, in general, for theory construction are explored. The historical evolution of domains in definitions of the field, the formulation of theory, the nature of taxonomies, the role of conceptual frameworks and…

This book gives a definitive theoretical account of radical constructivism., a theory of knowing that provides a pragmatic approach to questions about reality, truth, language and human understanding. The chapter are: (1) "Growing up Constructivist: Languages and Thoughtful People," (2) "Unpopular Philosophical Ideas: A History in…

Students should use words (their own words) to learn physics,and that is why it is important for students learning introductory physics to write as they learn. To teach physics badly, teach it as a bunch of equations with no underlying meaning, or make it scary and nearly incomprehensible. Physics is really about subtle ideas and concepts--it is…

It has been argued from world view theory that fundamental beliefs abut the world exert a powerful influence on how sense is made of events in the world. However, the nature of that influence has remained enigmatic. Hannah Arendt's distinction between thinking and comprehension, and knowing and apprehension provides a clarification. Thinking is…

Most conventional school science curricula and the teaching practices that implement them offer students no firsthand contact with working science. This paper seeks to answer the following questions: (1) How can "school science" claim to offer a basis for education in or about science at all? (2) What is the status of this claim in relation to…

It has been shown previously that many students solve chemistry problems using only algorithmic strategies and do not understand the chemical concepts on which the problems are based. It is plausible to suggest that if the information is presented in differing formats the cognitive demand of a problem changes. The main objective of this study…

The booklet-administered tasks involved conjunctive and disjunctive attribute identifications over the typical concept attainment domain (geometric) and a domain using medical symptoms. Generalizing results of concept attainment studies across domains is supported, if the modes of presentation are the same. (Author/BJG)

A general model for research in the concept of weight and other concepts is tested with second grade children. (Author/DEP)

Elementary students role-playing people celebrating various holiday seasons of different cultures can learn social science concepts. (JR)

Investigates the impact of aesthetic theory on the study of mass communication and explores relevant implications for potential change. (MH)

Concludes that steps in instruction that seem logical to adults may not make sense to six-year-olds in beginning reading instruction. (RB)

Alerts teachers, science-test writers and other relevant persons to the problem of distorted concepts which might arise from careless and/or irresponsible usage of the language of science. Provides examples of semantic problems in writings related to the concepts of adaptation and evolution. (GS)