This opinion piece paper urges teachers and teacher educators to draw careful distinctions among four basic learning goals: learning science, learning about science, doing science and learning to address socio-scientific issues. In elaboration, the author urges that careful attention is paid to the selection of teaching/learning methods that…

Designers of interactive learning environments face the issue of managing the learner's cognitive load, reducing irrelevant sources while optimizing useful sources of load. I propose a conceptual framework aimed at organizing the contributions of the papers presented in this special issue. The framework identifies three main dimensions, namely…

Reviews how a sophomore class of gifted students selected a subject for their learning logs; tells how to write a learning log; offers ideas on evaluating learning logs; presents student reflections on the use of learning logs. (JK)

Argues that a deeper analysis of the affect and how it develops is needed for the design of effective learning activities. Topics discussed include the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives in the Affective Domain; a model of skilled behavior; theories of the development of attitudes and affect; affective objectives for instruction; and instructional…

Advocates experiential education in parental education classes. Explores the definition of experiential learning, why it succeeds, and how to incorporate it. Specifically addresses: (1) the learning part; (2) sensory input; (3) interpretation and organization; (4) metaphors; (5) motion; (6) types of activities; and (7) long-term implementation.…

Integrated learning systems need to be integrated into the school's larger curriculum, into regular classroom teaching, and into each student's total learning experience. (SI)

Discussion of situated learning focuses on classroom instruction. Topics addressed include individual uniqueness; a knowledge community, including the process of knowledge acquisition; situated instruction, including the role of the teacher; authentic activity, including teacher-student interaction; and implications for educational technology. (26…

Describes how one student improved his mathematics performance by keeping a journal of class activities and homework assignments. (FL)

Recommends teaching learning-to-learn competencies simultaneously with the course content. Reviews competencies needed for effective learning in the areas of information processing, active study strategies, and self-management. Illustrates opportunities for instructors to teach learning competencies while presenting material or explaining course…

Discussion of the socially situated and constrained nature of educational computing focuses on situated critical pedagogy and computer education. Four areas are highlighted in an examination of teaching/learning situations: (1) praxis, i.e., a relationship between action and reflection; (2) situated critical pedagogy; (3) interpretive processes;…

Considers the use of graphic aids with regard to readers' ability to integrate graphic with written information. Points out students' need for instructional activities that develop skills such as inference through information coordination of the graphic aid, text, and prior knowledge. Presents the three stages of the GIL. (JK)

A cause-and-effect relationship exists between the event called teaching and the event called learning. Teachers should create antecedent conditions for learning by motivating students and by using strategies such as explaining, comparing, and reinforcing. (PP)

Offers a set of lesson plans that use simple semantic word maps to help students improve their vocabulary knowledge and comprehension in all subject areas. (FL)

Presents five preliminary conclusions about notetaking practices based on findings in the literature. Each conclusion is followed by a discussion of its implications for classroom instruction, and links between various lecturer and student behaviors and the external events of instruction are proposed. (Author/MBR)

Discusses the increased use of hands-on teaching activities that, while meant to engage students in learning, fail to teach them anything of importance. Explains why this trend started and why it is continuing to be used. Concluding comments provide questions teachers should ask during activity planning in order to make it an effective teaching…