At the same time that educators and researchers are identifying ways in which major reform and restructuring is needed in schools, research on student learning in science (and other subjects) from constructivist and conceptual-change perspectives is suggesting the potential for significant improvements in students' understanding of science and…

Project META (Metacognitive Enhancing Teaching Activities) is a 3-year naturalistic case study designed to explicitly enhance the metacognitive capabilities of learners in order to illuminate the nature of metacognitive interactions among elementary students and to describe the impact this type of enhancement has on the formation of students'…

The assertion that there is a social component to children's construction of knowledge about natural phenomena is supported by evidence from an examination of children's classification schemes for plants. An ethnographic study was conducted with nine sixth grade children in central Texas. The children classified plants in the outdoors, in a…

This paper focuses on teaching and learning in educational administration and the challenges constructivism and reflective practice suggest for professors about their roles as teachers and learners. The paper takes four glimpses into a classroom (the studio of instructional leadership) where students seeking administrative certification learn the…

Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer generated, multi-dimensional, inclusive environment that can build axioms of algebra into the behavior of the world. This paper discusses the use of VR to represent part of the algebra curriculum in order to improve students' classroom experiences in learning algebra. Students learn to construct their knowledge…

The influence of theory on instructional-design models of the future is explored on the basis of the theoretical developments of today. Anticipated model changes are expected to result from disparate theoretical thinking in areas such as chaos theory, constructivism, situated learning, cognitive-learning theory, and general systems theory.…

All that you need to assist the low-achieving students in your school are the six intervention strategies from this well-researched guide. Drawing from 118 studies of students at-risk of failure, David Snow guides you through the evidence-based strategies that are proven to be effective with students who are performing below standards: (1)…

The research literature on educational technology has identified a number of important contextual factors that influence how technology is used in educational settings. For six years, the Education Development Center (EDC) has used a variety of methods to investigate the multiple ways in which the Intel Teach to the Future Essentials professional…

Students with or without disabilities often experience difficulties with abstract math concepts. This paper is intended to help solve the mystery of math concepts through origami construction, a hands-on activity. Students are involved in constructing and deconstructing concepts by folding and unfolding a piece of paper which eventually leads to a…

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to examine the effects of constructivist pedagogy when addressing the issues associated with below proficiency scores in basic skills in mathematics on the state exit exam. Scores of thirty-four 11th and 12th grade students who did not perform at the state-mandated levels of proficiency in basic skills…

Achieving meaningful life work is a process that involves aligning one's work with one's true essence or core self. It is an ongoing process that involves self-reflection to discover the deep passions within and then exploration of how to bring those passions or interests to bear in meaningful ways at work. In response to the need to address the…

This paper examines a Midwestern site of the National Writing Project for teachers, a professional development summer institute that fosters collaborative learning, increases teacher confidence and enthusiasm, and promotes reflection. The examination involves observations of and interviews with 19 Midwestern Writing Project (MWP) participants and…

This paper compares the professional beliefs and teaching behaviors of traditional and nontraditional/adult teacher candidates during their student teaching experience. Data for the study came from 45 elementary student teachers' structured, weekly autobiographical critical reflections written during their student teaching. Participants were…

A computer-mediated communication (CMC) device, Virtual Classroom & Virtual Corporation System (VICTORY) was developed and integrated into a Taiwan higher education classroom with the aim of providing a constructive learning environment where high-quality instructional interactions and true collaboration existed among learners. Individual…

Multicultural education is a metadiscipline, a field of study designed to increase educational equity for all students. It incorporates concepts, principles, theories, and models from history, from the social and behavioral sciences, and from ethnic and women's studies in particular. This handbook assembles in one volume the major research and…