A case is made that the term "science" in reference to special education is misused, and that the methods of empiricist science are inappropriately applied to the study of special education. Article concludes that many of the criticisms leveled at special education can be traced back to this misunderstanding of science. (Author/CR)

A survey of 33 male and 5 female prisoners examined their knowledge of AIDS and HIV transmission modes, current sexual behavior and safe sex practices, and sources of AIDS information and degree of trust in these sources. Discusses implications for social work practices and development of AIDS education for prisoners. (SV)

Investigated whether case analysis would be an anchor for subsequent construction of formal and practical knowledge. In two studies, pairs of preservice teachers analyzed a case before and after units of instruction. Case analysis was effective in integrating participants' formal and practical knowledge. They identified more concepts and analyzed…

Considers the narrative function of children's play by focusing on story, imagination, and visual expression. Argues that children's storytelling brings into account their knowledge of the world and of narrative conventions. Suggests that context shapes and constrains the stories told. Concludes that storytelling can enhance literacy and should be…

Investigated whether fourth-graders' gestures convey knowledge self-recognizable in another context. Identified math problem-solving procedures conveyed gesturally and examined whether the procedures could be accessed by the same child on a task not involving gesture. Children rated higher those solutions derived from procedures they conveyed…

Stresses the difference between technological and technical knowledge, starting with the distinction of natural science, engineering science (technology) and engineering practice (technics). Discusses the relationship between science and technology. The classification of knowledge types is used for determining which kind of knowledge may seem…

This study evaluated the effects of three instructional methods (direct experience, cartographic representation (tactile map), and verbal description) on the spatial knowledge of 30 adults with blindness. Results indicated that participants' practical spatial knowledge was better when they learned with a tactile map than in either of the other…

Looks for appropriate interaction analysis/content analysis techniques that assist in examining the negotiation of meaning and coconstruction of knowledge in collaborative learning environments facilitated by computer conferencing. Reviews strengths and shortcomings of existing interaction analysis techniques and proposes a new model based on…

Investigates the role of stimulus repetition during on line aural identification of harmonic sequences by 72 adult beginners. Demonstrates that the first presentation is a powerful image influencing subsequent identifications. Clarifies the role of repetition and provides an explanation of the incidence of repetition in omitted and incorrect…

Explores the results of a pilot survey of young people in Nizhnii Novgorod from March 1997 that focused on the state of young people's historical consciousness of the October Revolution of 1917. Considers the effect of family prosperity and addresses the means and sources of historical knowledge. (CMK)

A study investigated autism awareness among 250 English medical students at different stages of training. Compared to first-year students, fourth-year students were significantly more likely to respond correctly to questions related to diagnostic criteria and core symptoms; however, significant differences were not found for other aspects.…

The knowledge supply model depicts the dynamics of change and patterns of knowledge supply and demand in economic sectors. Its elements are knowledge characteristics, organizational specificity of knowlwege, value of knowledge, and level of suppliers' knowledge. Learning organizations can use the model to tailor products and servers to knowledge…

A brochure was designed to communicate information to tourists about the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and its need for protection. A survey of 673 visitors evaluated the effectiveness of distribution methods, effectiveness of the brochure in communicating its intended messages, map effectiveness, visitor opinions of various brochure…

Developed five knowledge tests and one implicit reasoning test designed to be short, correlated with cognitive aptitude, unobtrusive, and capable of administration in computer, e-mail, or paper-and-pencil forms. Administered these tests to 288 Air Force recruits and validated them against the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Results…

Previous findings on employer knowledge about learning disabilities were compared to 25 employers from Pennsylvania and Virginia. Findings indicate that employers are continuing to make efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 regulations but have little knowledge or experience with it in terms of learning disabilities.…