Written instructions seldom need to be read when playing videogames. Instead, gaming often involves early information foraging and expansive exploration behaviors. We use data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to explore whether students who regularly play videogames (daily gamers) adopt behaviors that are typical of…

Consider that colorful photographs, eye-catching illustrations, and captivating images intended to make textbooks more appealing may actually distract students from the lesson at hand. Or that asking students to simply solve math problems might not be as effective as having them explain the steps of solutions that are already worked out--even some…

Do you feel bogged down by endless administrative tasks? Do you wish you could focus more on what truly matters--learning? "Learnership" provides both insight and solutions for moving past the distractions and becoming a learning leader. Cathy Toll illustrates this transformational process through activities and focused "learning conversations."…

Within the next two decades, calculators will be standard tools in mathematics classrooms. They should be used regularly but carefully in classroom instruction and testing to allow use of realistic data and exploration of mathematical concepts, but not to allow finding the answer without understanding the question. (MSE)

The performance-based assessment was developed to assess students' higher order thinking skills in real-life problem-solving situations in Alberta, Canada. These tasks assess aspects of science that cannot be measured easily by regular paper and pencil tests. The purpose of this document is to provide teachers, administrators, students, and…

Elaborates on the article "Synthesis of Research on the Effectiveness of Intellectual Skills Programs: Snake-Oil Remedies or Miracle Cures?" by Sternberg and Bhana. Encourages the development of a theory that could provide a guide to the infusion of thinking instruction into any area of inquiry. (IW)

A study in which nonscience professors and graduate students took introductory physics and chemistry courses and found that what makes science unappealing or difficult for some is not subject matter or lack of student preparedness but the way science is packaged. Problems with curriculum design, testing, grading, classroom climate, presentation,…

The New Teachers Mathematics Staff Development Program for grades 9 through 12 is a combination of content and methodology. Teachers focus their attention on content, lesson planning, questioning, homework, and testing. This volume contains materials for eight workshop sessions. Sessions included are: (1) An Introduction to the New York City…

Although many people in education are intimidated by the use of computer-based instruction (CBI), others are committed to exploiting the opportunities it provides. Three areas comprise CBI: instruction about computers, instruction by computers, and instruction using computers; the first two areas have received the most attention. (1) Attention to…

The New Teachers Mathematics Staff Development Program for grades 3 through 6 is a combination of content and methodology. Teachers focus their attention on content, lesson planning, questioning, homework, and testing. This volume contains materials for eight workshop sessions. Sessions included are: (1) An Introduction to the New York City School…

The New Teachers Mathematics Staff Development Program for grades 7 through 9 is a combination of content and methodology. Teachers focus their attention on content, lesson planning, questioning, homework, and testing. This volume contains materials for eight workshop sessions. Sessions included are: (1) An Introduction to the New York City School…