The concept of learning ecologies emerged in a context of educational change. While the "learning ecologies" construct has offered a broad semantic space for characterizing innovative ways of learning, it is also true that its potential to promote innovative educational interventions may have been hindered by this same broadness. Based…

This review study includes 43 articles from 2016 and 2017 focusing on teachers' professional development, as guided by the following twofold research question: "What characterizes teachers' professional development in school, and how does this development influence school improvement?" The review indicates that teachers' learning…

We conducted a literature review of using educational technology in biology learning from 2001 to 2010. A total of 36 empirical articles were included for review. Based upon the content analyses of these studies, such as technologies utilized, student sample, biological topics involved, the research purpose, and methodology, the following…

On July 17, 2008 the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) awarded a contract to the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to assist OVAE in conducting a descriptive study of instructional and programmatic practices that support the transition of English language learners (TELL) from English as a second…

Surveys relevant literature on the question of how people learn through doing drama. Proposes a construct to describe this learning process. Concludes that drama, even more than other storytelling and other fictional processes, employs the world-creating and hypothetical processes some have attributed to basic learning processes, which permeate…

Provides a rationale for the use of graphic organizers (GOs), traces their history and development, reviews 16 studies that have used GOs as text adjuncts, and discusses limitations that have made GO research nonsystematic. Suggests future research should examine and answer how GOs can be constructed for classroom use. (PA)

Reviews recent research on the department head role in English and Welsh secondary schools. Aims to link current knowledge to department heads' influence on classroom teaching and learning processes. The literature is fragmentary, treats the role from a holistic viewpoint, and does not address department heads' influences on classroom practice.…

Argues that the capacity to read and derive benefit from literature involves an interaction of at least three related abilities--aesthetic reading, reflecting, and problem solving. Offers an inquiry approach to teaching literature as one way to promote student development of these abilities. (RL)

Reviews the research regarding the use of laboratories in the teaching of science. Discusses the traditional process skills and adaptations of the learning cycle. Describes the four distinct characteristics of a Guided Inquiry Laboratory. Thirty-seven references are listed. (CW)

Presents a categorization of distance education methodologies in the form of a taxonomy that compares correspondence study-based distance education approaches with telecommunications-based approaches. Interaction between teachers and students and between students themselves in the distance learning process is highlighted, and a new definition of…

Written for curriculum developers and vocational education instructors, this publication provides an understanding of cognitive concepts and methods using an information processing paradigm and shows how to apply this knowledge in development of curriculum and instructional plans. Chapter 1 reviews needs and characteristics of vocational education…

This paper considers the relationships between mathematics, creativity, and the socioeconomically disadvantaged teenager. The aim is to ascertain better how to recognize the mathematically gifted student and then to pursue the question of how best to facilitate his or her learning of mathematics. Research and other literature are analyzed,…

Examines Piaget's theory of disequilibration as the tension and subsequent growth caused when new information must be assimilated or accommodated to fit one's view of reality. Indicates ways Christian religious educators can use the concept of disequilibration to understand adolescents' emotional and cognitive growth. Suggests implications for…

The purpose of this document is to survey at least some of the important research literature on solving linear equations in order to identify information that might suggest ways to improve teaching effectiveness. The studies that are examined employ a wide range of research techniques, are based often on quite different perspectives, and span over…