The video "A Private Universe" evokes surprise and dismay among educators and scientists by demonstrating that even the brightest students fail to grasp a seemingly simple and fundamental concept--the reason for seasons. This literature review describes the findings of 41 studies that collectively illustrate why the concept proves difficult to…

Teacher research is an extension of good teaching, observing students closely, analyzing their needs, and adjusting the curriculum to fit the needs of all. In this completely updated second edition of their definitive work, Ruth Shagoury and Brenda Miller Power present a framework for teacher research along with an extensive collection of…

As education continues to integrate technological advancements into learning and instruction, a resource dedicated to the latest findings and implications becomes necessary. This handbook provides academicians, researchers, and practitioners with a comprehensive view of the historical, conceptual, theoretical, and practical perspectives of…

Researchers investigating issues related to computing in higher education are increasingly using qualitative research methods to conduct their investigations. However, they may have little training or experience in qualitative research. The purpose of this paper is to introduce researchers to the appropriate use of qualitative methods. It begins…

This volume contains 10 articles that concern research efforts undertaken in the field of geography education and training. Written by researchers from around the world, the articles include: (1) "Empirical Didactics of Geography: History of a Working Group" (H. Schrettenbrunner); (2) "The Development and Evaluation of a Geography Computer…

Reviews selected research in music computer-based technology and identifies four research cycles/patterns: technological development, adaptation, feasibility, and effectiveness. Asserts that identification is important because it places research in a defining framework. (MJP)

Experimental methods have been used extensively for many years to conduct research in education and psychology. However, applications of experiments to investigate technology and other instructional innovations in higher education settings have been relatively limited. The present paper examines ways in which experiments can be used productively…

A WICAT Computer Assisted Instructional (CAI) System began operation at St. Anne Consensus School (Tennessee) in August, 1986. Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) scores for the years 1984 through 1988 for ten students in each of the grades 4th through 8th (as of May 1988) were analyzed. The average gain for all subjects during the two years before…

Reasons for the importance of using technology in education and problems encountered by Minnesota schools in maximizing the potential of modern technology are discussed in the introduction to this report, which also summarizes actions taken by the state legislature to support technology utilization, inservice training for the use of technology,…

This study presents exploratory evidence to prove that student computer usage is correlated with academic performance using course grades as an academic performance measure. No conclusive evidence was found to indicate student performance and computing are related, but a significant relationship between course instructor and computer usage was…

Explores the increased use of computers in the humanities. Discusses computer applications in dissertation writing, research databases, classroom teaching, professional communication, and statistical analysis. Cites problems with data entry and sampling, record linkage, and resistance among some historians to new technologies. (SG)

This digest outlines salient characteristics of teacher-led research and its benefits to teachers and students. A discussion of selected resources for teacher researchers, which are available through various components of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), follows the overview. Effective teacher research is an empowering…

This annotated bibliography includes 257 references to current issues in Japanese education contained in books, magazines, and Japanese periodicals. Among the topics included are bullying among juvenile delinquents, student exchange programs, Japanese educational problems, post-educational employment problems, school computer use, and juvenile…

Although educators' use of computers to track student and school information with the attendant positive and negative outcomes is still in an early stage of development, accessible data from such systems could improve the objective rationality of educational and instructional decision-making as long as no one places unwarranted credibility in the…

Argues that computer instantiations of abstract concepts could assist mathematics education by providing concrete experiences and by inducing the mental process of construction that Piaget called reflexive abstraction. College students with computer experiences scored higher than those taught with traditional methods on a test of functions and…