Theory frequently offends. The paper argues that this is its strength: the value of theory lies in its power to get in the way. Theory is needed to block the reproduction of banality, and thereby, hopefully, open new possibilities for thinking and doing. However, I also note that theory has become somewhat disengaged from its objects, diminishing…

A common view seems to be emerging in the mathematics education world at the moment that the development and use of "rich tasks" is a good thing; a "right thing" to do. There are many examples of these "rich tasks" and teachers are encouraged to use them whenever they can. Professional learners don't just accept this uncritically, but question…

Scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) demands greater empirical rigor on the part of authors and the editorial process than ever before. Although admirable and important, I worry that this increasing rigor will limit opportunities and outlets for a form of pedagogical vigor--the publication of simple, experiential, but empirically…

Contemporary learning research and development that is embedded in primary and secondary schooling is increasingly acknowledging the significance of a variation approach for enhancing the possibility of learning. However, the variation approach has so far attracted very little attention in higher education, but where it has, the results have been…

The author drew the 2008 Easter conference to a close. During the final address, the author chose to focus on the domain of perimeter and area both because it is a topic accessible to teachers of all ages and because learners display considerable confusion between them. The core difficulty seems to lie in the necessity to attend either to the…

The selection of demonstration methods as a technique in extension education involves such factors as type of knowledge to be imparted, degree of audience participation, and desired outcome. (SK)

The authors argue that imitation is a flexible and adaptive learning mechanism in that children do not always reproduce all of the details they can from a demonstration. Instead, they vary their replications depending on their interpretation of the situation. Specifically, the authors propose that when children do not understand the overall reason…

Examines advantages and disadvantages of four live demonstration interview formats for four groups in family therapy workshops: mental health professionals as observers, families, therapists, and consultant or workshop leader. Notes techniques to balance and optimize benefits of same-room, closed-circuit, prevideotaped, and simulated interviews…

Recounts experiences with psychologists, educators, and researchers in the Soviet Union while conducting live counseling sesssions with Soviet citizens to demonstrate the person-centered approach. Reflects that Soviet professionals have needs and concerns similar to those of psychologists and educators in the United States. (Author)

Suggests ways to involve employers in the process of deciding what vocational program equipment to buy for the school: doing a survey (including designing the survey instrument and cover letter), working with vendors (developing a standard set of questions), and recommending a choice (preparing a written recommendation). (CT)

Instructors can use interactive Java applets to present science in a concrete and meaningful manner to nonscience majors. This article shows how applets can take the place of laboratory work and gives examples and benefits of using applets. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)

Discusses six educational and economic reasons for using demonstrations in a high school chemistry classroom. Also discusses reasons for doing lecture demonstrations as an integral part of college chemistry instruction. (JN)

Describes four-step approach to educational demonstration: tell learners they will have to perform; what they should notice; describe each step before doing it; and require memorization of steps. Examples illustrate use of this process to demonstrate a general mental strategy, and industrial design, supervisory, fine motor, and specific…

Describes the philosophy of a high school chemistry teacher, providing examples through classroom experiences, with emphasis on the use of demonstrations as instructional aids. Specific stoichiometry and conductometric titration demonstrations are discussed. (CS)

The role of laboratory experience in professional education is discussed. Although laboratory experiments are often expensive and demanding on faculty time, they can offer a unique experience to the veterinary medicine student. (BH)