The world presented to our senses is essentially continuous in space and time. The simplest observations of children have shown that we are not born with ways of "breaking up" the world. The structures of our knowledge must be developed, and the major issue this paper considers is how those structures develop. The discussion focuses on Jean…

Considered are concepts and skills appropriate for basic teacher preparation, and those that should be reserved for more advanced, specialized preparation. The cyclical continuum of teacher education and models of teacher development are discussed. (MNS)

Briefly summarizes recent advancements in information processing psychology, particularly work related to the representation of knowledge stored in long-term memory. Illustrates through example the educational possibilities yet to be derived from the study of cognition. (Author/MLF)

The purpose of this paper is to present classroom teachers with a succinct, practical explanation of how to teach reading comprehension. An approach to the systematic teaching of comprehension which is based on practical interpretation of current research and theory is presented. Examples are given that will assist any teacher who is responsible…

Discusses seven key concepts in Ausubel's learning theory which function to guide research and teaching. Also discusses concept mapping and Gowins Vee, providing examples of how they are used in chemistry instruction. (JN)

Suggesting that learning be considered as a generative process, attempts to: (1) place generative learning ideas in the context of other viewpoints of learning; (2) explicate key postulates of the generative learning model; and (3) examine implications of these theoretical ideas for teaching, learning, curriculum development, and research. (JN)

The current disquiet over basic numeration is briefly discussed with reference to Piaget and Bruner and attention is focused on play as a possible vehicle for enactive representation. A program of games is described including program rationale, examples, and tentative findings. (Author/SJL)

Summarizes 19 papers presented at the Fourth International Conference on Teaching Statistics held in Morocco, July 1994. Papers presented were in five categories: (1) empirical studies on students' conceptions; (2) theoretical papers on teaching and learning; (3) assessment; (4) using computers in teaching probability and statistics; and (5) data…

Perspectives on the need for consistency in considering the promotion of conceptual change in science students and teachers (and in some circumstances, researchers) are presented in this paper. The parallels between the consequences of this consistency and the literature on educational change are also highlighted. A particular focus is directed to…

Argues that genuine critical thinking requires the recognition of the evolutionary nature of knowledge. Discusses the Perry scheme of nine stages of cognitive development and the Nelson variant of Perry's stages. Discusses teaching methods that are based on this approach and provides suggestions for further research. (CFR)

Few college teachers understand the process learners go through during periods of insight, large or small. Many treat this transition from one paradigm of knowledge to another as purely cognitive when, in fact, it is also highly emotional. A model of the transition is presented and a reflective guide is offered to help teachers facilitate this…

Examined is the notion of "representation" as it is used in mathematics education. The first section explains what appears to the current "received view" of representation within mathematics education. The second section describes the constructivist view of representation, especially as this view is related to Piaget's theory. The third section…

Explores the issue of the consistency of use of students' conceptions across different tasks which probed understandings of aspects of pressure, heat, and biological evolution. Findings indicate that children have alternative frameworks for all investigated areas. (ML)

While other developmental theories, on a smaller scale, share center stage with Piagetian theory, Jean Piaget will likely be remembered as one of the world's leading psychologists of the twentieth century. This book, with a first version published nearly 20 years ago, attempts to make Piaget's concepts more "user friendly" for those…

Intended for writing teachers, from middle-elementary level through college, this booklet describes a teaching method that lets students write their own way into ideas, merging personal experience with intellectual thought in expository writing. The booklet first describes in greater detail the concept of writing to think as focused free…