Systems thinking in biology education is an up and coming research topic, as yet with contrasting feasibility claims. In biology education systems thinking can be understood as thinking backward and forward between concrete biological objects and processes and systems models representing systems theoretical characteristics. Some studies claim that…

This article traces the evolution of the English language curriculum for senior secondary school in China from 1949 against the background of national developments in China. The latest English language curriculum (2003) is then introduced and discussed in comparison with the 1993 syllabus. The comparison suggests that the 2003 curriculum…

Examines the Piagetian levels of cognitive development, levels of creativity, and the correlational relationship between levels of cognitive development and creativity among biology students (N=90) from two diverse high schools, one urban and one rural. (CS)

Although much has been written about the ineffectiveness of schools in imparting cognitive skills, there is little reliable knowledge by which to judge such claims. While the typical school effectiveness study focuses on variation in educational outcomes between organizational units, there have been few studies which compared "school"…

Investigates 14-year-old students' ability to recognize argumentation without having systematic instruction; and whether the identification of argumentation is an independent skill. Finds that after a 20-minute explanation, a large proportion of 14-year-olds could not identify simple argumentation. Concludes that identifying argumentation is a…

Preferences for asymmetry in the relationship between metaphorical topic and vehicle were investigated among 64 fifth- and seventh-grade boys and girls. Subjects viewed 12 metaphorically related pairs of pictures selected from the Metaphoric Triads Task (MTT) and were told to write a sentence that tells how one picture is like another. Slides of…

The work is the report of a study concerning the impact of the inquiry method of teaching on affective as opposed to cognitive achievements. Subjects were 10th grade students given a reading assignment in Asian studies. Control and experimental groups were asked to respond to questions about the material read. Attitude gains were computed for both…

The Group Assessment of Logical Thinking (GALT) instrument has been widely used to gather cross-cultural data regarding the acquisition of logical thinking skills in adolescent children. This study of West German adolescents using the instrument adds further comparative data regarding the development of logical thinking skills. Additional data…

Explores the rationale behind the importance of teaching young secondary school students how to look for correlation patterns. Describes two lessons that show how pupils can experience zero, positive, and negative correlation patterns between variables. Indicates the possible success of the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education project.…

What kind of developmental potential is present in elementary schoolchildren but hindered by the traditional type of education? Half a century ago Daniel El'konin and Vasili Davydov, the leaders of Russian Vygotskian educational psychology started answering this question. They suggested that reflection is a basic human ability and it can be…

Twenty-five eleventh grade classes were taught two social studies concepts, sovereignty and comparative advantage, using written or oral methods. Methods differed in their use and sequence of examples to explicate definitions. Finds using examples increased concept attainment. Suggests sequence was important for the more complex, relational…

The Comprehensive and Cognitive Development (CCD) Program of the Kansas City (Missouri) School District has completed its sixth year of operation. The CCD Program supports the integration of assessment with instructional strategies to increase the reading comprehension and cognitive skills of middle school and senior high school students. Staff…

During the 1968-72 years, Northwestern Junior High School had the reputation of the "most racially troubled" junior high school in Battle Creek, Michigan. The BACSTOP (Better Acquisition of Cognitive Skills Through Outdoor Programming) was implemented to address some of the negative problems facing the school. BACSTOP aimed to: create a…

This study used cognitive developmental theory to analyze how teachers learn to teach sport education. Two groups of undergraduate pre-service teachers were studied, one group during their secondary methods and corresponding field-teaching courses, the other during an independent teaching course. Data were collected through ethnographic…

An interim study was conducted in Kentucky to determine the effectiveness of Competency Based Vocational Education (CBVE) and to compare its effectiveness to that of traditional teaching methodologies. Research surveys of those directly involved in the implementation of CBVE were used to ascertain if CBVE is meeting its self-stated goals.…