In many teacher education programs, some form of inquiry or practitioner research is now included in the preservice teacher education curriculum. The intention is to help teacher candidates become professionals who are lifelong learners who raise questions and research their practice across the professional career. At the same time, teacher…

Offers reasons for the recent increased attention to social studies skills on all grade levels and outlines major skills in three areas--traditional (reading, listening, speaking, discussion, map skills, and written language); inquiry (developing hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data); and values (rational analysis, reading, and citizenship…

Describes how expanding the geography curriculum so that it deals with cognitive and affective outcomes in a confluent manner can make geography lessons more interesting to teachers and students. An inquiry lesson on petroleum is presented as an example. (Author/DB)

The traditional college curriculum is seen as a collection of answers for students who do not yet have the questions; an alternative approach that nurtures students' capacities for inquiry is suggested and outlined. (MSE)

Many social and intellectual forces focus introductory courses not on the process of inquiry but on its products. Changes that can help refocus these courses include limiting class size, emphasizing writing skills, having all levels of faculty teach the courses, and promoting exchange of ideas in the classroom. (MSE)

Observes that the improvement of reading scores is not a legitimate educational goal, notes that reading abilities are inseparable from other modes of linguistic expression, and proposes many types of activities for teaching language in a context involving increasing knowledge of the uses of language in different subjects. (GT)

Discusses how laboratory activities can match science teaching goals. Analysis of two commonly used laboratory investigations in high school physics and biology are presented using a list of 24 skills and behaviors which are related to the processes of scientific inquiry and problem solving. (HM)

This curriculum guide provides: (1) information on the philosophy of the elementary school science program in Alberta; (2) a list of eight general objectives for science education; (3) 11 statements which identify the desirable characteristics of an elementary science program; (4) a discussion of inquiry in elementary science, considering process…

Described is an introductory, nonscience majors biology course. Discussed are the goals and objectives of the course; the use of the learning cycle philosophy of teaching and learning; the use of classic experiments, textbooks, examinations; and the training of graduate teaching associates. (CW)

This handbook translates the findings and recommendations from earlier reports on purposes and practices in selected arts and sciences majors into a practical framework for reviewing the effectiveness of major programs in the arts and sciences as liberal learning. The handbook stresses the value of assessment as a dimension of program review and…

The 1982 Search for Excellence in Science Education project has identified 10 science programs as exemplars in the teaching of science as inquiry. Descriptions of the programs and the criteria used in their selection are presented. Chapter 1 reviews four goal clusters (developed during Project Synthesis) related to the desired state in science as…

Intended for K-12 geography teachers, this publication discusses course content and teaching methods for geography instruction. There are ten chapters. The first chapter discusses three educational philosophies which contend that the goals of education are to know, to do, and to be. Chapter 2 examines the nature of geography, discussing four…

Discusses 15 years of experiences and lessons learned teaching in multicultural settings in the United States, Puerto Rico, and 2 foreign nations. Argues that schooling should be based on a diversity model of education. Asserts that it is difference that engages student minds. (CFR)

Compares results of the Barth Shermis Social Studies Preference Scale given to groups of preservice teachers in five countries over several years. Reports that social studies has evolved through three patterns of teaching citizenship education: citizenship transmission, social science, and reflective inquiry. Concludes that teachers are confused…

Maintains that, over the past 50 years, social studies educators have suggested a number of conceptual pathways for approaching their area of academic study. Presents six models: (1) cultural transmission; (2) social action; (3) life adjustment; (4) discovery; (5) inquiry; and (6) multiculturalism. (CFR)