The author always turns to children to be her teachers when she comes up against new ideas and challenges. She believes that observing closely and reflecting on how children engage in exploration and discovery reinforced the notion that children, in fact, do more with less! Supporting children in developing self-regulation is not an easy task in…

Discusses the role of observation in participative learning activities and describes methods to increase observation skills. Purposes of observing are discussed in relation to strategies followed by facilitators; categories of observation are described; methods of recording are examined; and training exercises for observational skills development…

Describes a teacher's creative teaching method in an art class. Introduces a summer workshop called the Artist's Workshop for teachers who are interested in infusing art into their classroom. Claims that teachers must push their own boundaries to find out their strategies and to listen to students. Provides 25 strategies to bring art into…

In this article, the author draws on his observations of secondary school student teachers to emphasize the importance of a lesson plan in being able to explain exactly why students need to learn a particular lesson, even in higher education. While college students are less likely to ask this question, the author believes that the best teachers,…

Argues that the use of nature literature in science, history, religion, geography, etc., classrooms can sharpen students' observation skills, help students learn to value the world around them, and introduce environmental issues such as man's threats to nature. Describes sample activities. (DMM)

Conventional experimental research in mental imagery and visualization presents conflicting findings. Naturalistic inquiry offers an alternative approach for the study of mental imagery and problem solving. Paulo Freire, for example, used a naturalistic approach that emphasized active involvement in learning. Imagery can play an important role in…

The practice of law depends on capacity to observe facts and base advice/strategies on such observations. Most of this is not taught in law schools, even in clinical experiences. Fact consciousness can be taught through traditional case analysis, emphasizing personal observation and use of past experiences, particularly stressful experiences.…

Examines reasons why some elementary and secondary students learn programming in BASIC and LOGO much better than others suggesting this happens because students bring different learning patterns to the programming context. Pitfalls novices face in learning programming are discussed, and instructional design suggestions to foster better learning…

Discusses roles that parents and teachers can perform to facilitate children's interactions with computers. Highlights include: (1) designing computer environments, including learner control, learning activities, and relating computer experiences to other learning processes; (2) adult interactions with children; and (3) observation and feedback…

Reports the results of a study that examined the patterns of interactions of high school student partners engaged in problem-solving activities while working through computer simulation activities in an astronomy lab. Observations, interviews with teachers and students, and a software program evaluation are discussed. (LRW)

This article describes the "Add-a-Page Assignment" in which students choose a picture book to which they would add a page, imitating both the style and artistic medium of the illustrator and the writing style of the author. In this article, the author begins with quotes from students who have very different learning styles and vastly different…

Describes activities designed to help students think critically and to accurately process information. (FL)

Discusses ways of awakening urban youth to the presence of the natural world in the city and thereby fostering their sense of stewardship toward their own place. Describes activities involving observation and exploration of small bits of ground, connection of these micro-environments to larger environmental processes, reflection exercises, and…

The gap between researchers and teachers has minimized the impact that research should have on school development. Using teachers as researchers is one way of empowering them to adopt the perspective of the researcher. Research-oriented activity is then seen as one promising means of improving the teachers' pedagogical expertise. It is assumed…

According to this publication, a school's most effective tool in encouraging student success may be its control over the time the student spends working on goal-oriented learning activities--that is, time on task. This document is intended to help school administrators understand the effects of their decisions on students' learning time and…