This paper presents research, theory, and practice that indicate different cultures have different cognitive styles and that culturally diverse students become more successful learners when these differences are taken into account in the classroom. This theory of "culturally mediated education" enriches the conceptual basis of the…

This paper presents some findings of a small study of a group of social science degree students and the ways in which they dealt with the need to demonstrate, during an examination, some basic mathematical and statistical skills. The theoretical context of the study is in the branch of mathematics education known as "situated cognition". It is…

The Higher Education Funding Council for England recently held two seminars that addressed the relationship between widening participation in higher education, learning and teaching, and strategic planning. In recognition of these relationships and to enable a coordinated approach, this good practice guide and another on widening participation…

A long-term study was conducted to test the effectiveness of visual thinking networking (VTN), a new generation of knowledge representation strategies with 56 ninth grade earth science students. The recent findings about the brain's organization and processing conceptually ground VTN as a new cognitive tool used by learners when making their…

This paper examines the possible role of grammar throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 in the modern language curriculum where communication is the central tenet. It also discusses how total or virtually total use of target language (German) in the classroom can help deal with the dichotomy of grammar versus communication and bring about an integrated…

One hundred and seven 5th-8th graders were tested on spatial rotation multiple-choice items to determine age and gender differences in spatial ability. Thirty-one of them were subsequently interviewed. They were asked to explain their reasoning when solving 4 of the tested items and a problem-solving task. Features of visual and non-visual…

This quasi-experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of cognitive strategy instruction on fifth-grade students reading comprehension and comprehension of words encountered during reading. Eight intact fifth-grade classes of approximately 34 students each were randomly assigned to treatment groups (clarifying, questioning, combined…

These four newsletters focus on issues related to adult basic education and the challenges faced when teaching adult learners. The first issue introduces the LDA (Learning Disabilities Association) Learning Center, a private, nonprofit agency intended to maximize the potential of all people with learning disabilities or related learning…

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) emphasize the use of models in science instruction by making it one of the five unifying concepts of science, applicable to all grade levels. The NSES recommend that models be a focus of instruction--helping students understand the use of evidence in science, make and test predictions, use logic, and…

This paper discusses toilet training children with autism using techniques recommended by TEACCH consultants. It recommends looking at the problem from the perspective of the student with autism in order to build in many elements of visual structure that will help the child understand exactly what is expected. Teachers are urged to look at each…

This paper defines ethnomathematics and reviews the methods used to incorporate this philosophy into the current teaching of mathematics. Ethnomathematics rejects inequity, arrogance, and bigotry while challenging the Eurocentric bias that denies the mathematical contributions and rigor of other cultures. A review of the literature shows that the…

This position statement begins with an outline of the meanings for terms that are central to the session topic at which this paper was presented: inquiry, inquiry learning, scientific inquiry, and scientific method. The central issues of inquiry's place in science education and as a more general educational approach are then discussed. Finally,…

This study used a computerized simulation and problem-solving tool along with artificial neural networks (ANN) as pattern recognizers to identify the common types of strategies high school and college undergraduate chemistry students would use to solve qualitative chemistry problems. Participants were 134 high school chemistry students who used…

This guide describes ways that parents can help improve student achievement and school quality. It answers such questions as how to choose the right early-education opportunity for a preschooler, how to make sure a 5-year-old is ready for school, how to help a daughter do well in school, how to work with a daughter's or son's teachers, how to help…

Parents often become involved in their children's education through homework. Whether children do homework at home, complete it in after school programs or work on it during the school day, homework can be a powerful tool for (a) letting parents and other adults know what the child is learning, (b) giving children and parents a reason to talk…