The inclusion of Nature of Science (NOS) in the science curriculum has been advocated around the world for several decades. One way of defining NOS is related to the family resemblance approach (FRA). The family resemblance idea was originally described by Wittgenstein. Subsequently, philosophers and educators have applied Wittgenstein's idea to…

Fifteen secondary education chemistry curricula published from 1957 until 2007 were examined based on the dimensions of rationale, goals, and subject matter. An examination of documents in the scope of qualitative research was carried out in the study. The goals included in the examined chemistry curricula were analyzed according to the cognitive,…

Research on teaching can be concerned with teaching in general or it can be conducted with a single kind of subject matter. Which kind of research is more advantageous? This issue arises in the planning of programs of research on teaching. The generic approach looks for uniformities, concepts, and principles that apply across all or many subject…

A critique is presented of naturalistic inquiry as a scholarly activity or as an alternative research paradigm directed toward extending knowledge of physical education curriculum and instruction. Four questions are posed: (1) What is the value perspective of naturalistic inquiry? (2) What are the phenomena of interest? (3) What are the…

Discusses results relating to student achievement with the Science Curriculum Improvement Study program based on Piaget's research on cognitive development. Also discusses results of research relating to social studies curriculum programs and Piagetian-based research studies. Outlines how social studies education would benefit from Piagetian-based…

Drawing from literature on research, innovative programs, and association positions, this paper provides an overview of two-year college mathematics curricula, instruction, and faculty. Introductory material places the discussion in the context of changes that have taken place in the community college over the past 20 years, highlighting increases…

This article discusees various motives of educators who involve themselves in curriculum research, reviews seven research methodologies (including surveys, content analysis, and sociolocial studies), and applies John Elliot's sociological taxonomy of educational research to English language and literature curricula. (AM)

This survey of recent research identifies major trends in American geographic education and evaluates some of the recent research. The document builds on two previous works on research in geographic education: "Research in Geographic Learning," Journal of Geography, 1972, and "Research Needs in Geographic Education, Suggestions and Possibilities,"…

As head of the Department of Pedagogy at the University of Chicago, John Dewey established an elementary school where a new curriculum could be put into practice, evaluated, and refined. This paper discusses how the activities of the school put Dewey's theories into practice generally, and particularly how they were applied to music education.…

This book is based on the premise that, although many professional organizations and the public are concerned about how teachers are prepared for their profession, this concern is not reflected in research about teaching methods classes. By presenting findings about the educational experiences of preservice teachers, the book aims to generate…

Economics education is examined as revealed by a study of science education at two-year colleges that involved a review of the literature, an analysis of the catalogs and class schedules of 175 representative institutions, and a survey of 69 economics instructors. Each of the three parts of the report reviews pertinent literature, reports study…

Explains and presents the results of a survey that asked teachers to rank in importance, and provide time spent on, broad topics (rise of fascism) and related subtopics (Hitler's approach to power). Two-hundred four K-12 teachers responded and provided personal information such as gender and class period length. (MJP)

The views and attitudes of ten North American educational policy-makers concerning curriculum development and design are presented. The theories and research of Herbert M. Kliebard, Fenwick W. English, Walter Werner, John I. Goodlad, Decker F. Walker, William A. Reid, Norman E. Gleadow, Neil Postman, Elliot W. Eisner, and Michael W. Apple are…

Research reviews are presented on the definition, scope, and nature of global education. Specifically, reviews focus on developmental research, which suggests that a certain age span is appropriate for teaching awareness of other nations, and environmental research, which identifies influences on the student in the classroom environment. In…

Reviews the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning's" section on learner outcomes and effective teaching methods. Concludes most researchers in this section expect social studies to teach active citizenship reached through decision making within a democratic society. Examines the debate on how best to produce this…