The "Forty Electronic Challenges" is a "discovery learning" and socio-constructivist science activity that has become rather popular in Canada. The article recalls its emergence and development. It discusses its theoretical underpinnings and how it fits into the existing literature. It then gives educators all the guidelines…

In the complexities of current realities, we are a writing collective of educators interested in placing hope in the present, particularly in composing practices and pedagogies. Drawing on a post-qualitative methodology, we weave together examples of practices of dance/movement, digital movie-making, and soil artivism with specific concepts of…

Assumptions underlying certain aspects of discovery-inquiry learning are examined. Inductive and hypothetico-deductive reasoning, principles which are now more or less taken for granted, will not always proceed smoothly. There do exist some identifiable human tendencies which can lead to bias in perception and interpretation of data. (AM)

Curriculum that is centered in or is the study of the firsthand experiences of pupils is compared to curriculum centered on book learning. (Author/MLF)

Suggests that children learn about society's history and traditions by focusing on those societal relationships which are meaningful to them personally. The school should be thought of as a laboratory for understanding, appreciating, and engaging reflectively in real-life experince. (Author/AV)

Mathematics can be thought of as a language and should be taught using the principles governing the methods of teaching a second language. So that teachers do not stress "answers," they should be trained to involve children in carefully structured activities, investigations, and observations which will ensure understanding. (Author/BC)

Remarkably versatile and demonstrated as effective at all grade levels, the discussion method has great potential for classroom teaching. Teachers should use this method more often because it teaches students to speak freely, listen to others, analyze different points of view, and evaluate the effectiveness of a discussion. (CMJ)

Discovery teaching advocates minimal teacher guidance. Materials from two curriculum development projects were evaluated with respect to this guidance. Results indicate a considerable discrepancy between curriculum intention and reality, as measured by the degree of teacher guidance afforded in the projects' instructional materials. (CP)

Recent trends and changes in science education include: change from content to process-oriented instruction; discovery learning; increasing relevance; environmental education; use of objectives; use of learning theories; and integrated science. Stresses the need to improve the science background of teachers, especially if integrated science is…

Maintains that traditional science education presents students with scientific facts to be memorized and then regurgitated on tests. In problem-posing science education the emphasis lies on understanding rather than on memorization; on attitudes and skills rather than on retained knowledge. Three sample lessons are given. (Author/BC)

To improve the quality of schooling, the Paideia Proposal calls for a single, required, 12-year course in general, humanistic learning, followed by any of three types of postsecondary institutions. The Paideia curriculum covers knowledge acquisition, intellectual development, and understanding of ideas but also requires improved, active teaching…

Argues current social studies reform movement raises false dichotomy between those who would emphasize content of history geography and those who would focus on critical thinking or information processing skills. Contends real goal of social studies should be practical citizenship competencies/participation. Concludes that teachers should create…

Despite many different educational reform efforts, a simple pedagogy is still adhered to: students will learn what they are taught. Schooling is still teacher-centered with lecture and recitation being the practices primarily utilized. At the turn of the century, there were two established educational traditions in place. One tradition believed…

Contends that what is being proposed as thoughtful or authentic teaching in the social studies, particularly in geography and history, is similar to the "New Social Studies" movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Discusses the origins, development, and decline of the new social studies, using one program, Project Africa, as a model. (CFR)

Explores the interrelationship between a conception of science teaching and the nature of a knowledge base for science teachers, outlining a history of curricular efforts in medical education. The article proposes a generative conception of science teaching and develops the role of three associated knowledge bases. (SM)