In this brief, authors Namsoo Shin, Kevin Haudek, and Joseph Krajcik explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can serve as a transformative learning partner in K-12 STEM education. They describe theoretical foundations of using AI in STEM education and the importance of fostering an integrated understanding of STEM content. The brief examines AI's…

Digital badges are graphical representations of an accomplishment. Open badges are a subset of digital badges, an image file in which additional data, metadata, are embedded. Not only will an open badge contain a description of the badge, the criteria, the issuer and issue date, but also, when appropriate, standards, tags, expiry date and…

Moral and conventional violations are usually judged differently: Only moral violations are treated as independent of social rules. To investigate the cognitive processing involved in the development of this distinction, undergraduates (N = 34), adolescents (N = 34), and children (N = 14) read scenarios presented on a computer that had 1 of 3…

Formal schooling began centuries before scientists would discover how the brains of children actually learn. Not surprisingly, traditional teaching was often boring and brain antagonistic. But great teachers in every era intuitively recognized what has now been validated by neuroscience: powerful learning is an adventure of the mind. Students,…

Reviews five properties of the brain that are central to dividing educational tasks between minds and machines and creating curricula to help students understand the complementary relationships between the brain and supportive machinery. The curriculum should focus on knowledge, skills, and values that most characterize and enhance our brain's…

Suggests that the construction and reconstruction of meanings by learners requires that they actively seek to integrate new knowledge with knowledge already in their cognitive structure. Concept mapping has been used effectively to aid meaningful learning with resulting modification of student's knowledge structures. Asserts that new computer…

Describes what a methodology for situated action should do for students given problem solving in school settings. Proposes that a methodology for understanding situated action should afford the instructional designer, the methodologist, and the problem solver opportunities to co-construct coupling dynamics that operate on multiple space and time…

Explores a new educational application of Piaget's theories of cognitive development: the use, as a teaching tool, of physical robots conceived as artificial organisms. Reviews educational projects using real robots. Shows that the use of intelligent systems to enlarge the view of biological reality could become an integral part of curricula in…

Research is reviewed on the use of microcomputer technology with learning disabled students in two major areas: (1) extended practice and its role in the development of increased automaticity of basic information processing skills; and (2) problem solving and metacognitive activities. (Author/DB)

Describes an epistemological framework and an associated research method. The framework focuses on the structural relations of individual and setting as experienced by the individual. The analysis consists in zooming to identify patterns that simultaneously occur at multiple levels. Uses data from a physics classroom where students learn to…

We examine the long term history of the development of fundamental representational infrastructures such as writing and algebra, and how they were physically implemented via such devices as the printing press and computers, in order to (1) gain insight into what is occurring today both in terms of representational infrastructure change and in…

Computer-assisted learning programs are assessed relative to the types of knowledge and ways of learning, the connection with actual experience, motivational factors, and responsiveness. Results indicate that computer-assisted programs impart cognitive skills as well as complex knowledge. Motivational factors are quite prevalent, however learning…

Reports on the application of technology in elementary and secondary education. The report is based on a review of the research literature and on written submissions and oral briefings from a number of academic and industrial researchers, practicing educators, software developers, and government agencies. (DDR)

Discusses points that educators should consider when using the technology of networked writing environments. Stresses the need to understand how technology functions and intervenes for pedagogical processes. Contains 57 references. (DDR)

This research brief examines the potential of technology to further the goals of restructuring U.S. schools. Strategies are presented for restructuring schools with technology. Although restructuring means different things to different people, the restructuring movement has generally focused on reorganizing school processes, taking a…