A wide-ranging discussion concerning the nature of writing, the findings of the British Writing Research Project, and implications for the teaching of writing. (DD)

Describes physiological, affective, and cognitive mechanisms by which didactic and discovery methods appear to work, as revealed by research literature. The optimal instructional method depends on the instructional objective, the educator's skills, and the nature of the students. Suggests more use of discovery methods. (69 references) (Author/MKR)

Attempts to synthesize various logical, psychological, and educational ideas to provide a useful guide for the classroom teacher to follow in using discovery curriculum. Outlines the discovery technique in six steps. (Author/RK)

The inquiry approach to learning is based on three phases. The exploratory phase encourages students to investigate a particular topic; the invention phase asks students to consider what they have learned; the final phase assists students in discovering the inadequacies of their inventions. (JN)

Presents a demonstration that attracts and then repels soap bubbles to a Van de Graaff generator. Discusses theory and describes the event that led to the development of this demonstration. (JRH)

How students develop forms for self-regulating learning is explored. It is suggested that they experiment, bootstrapping newer forms of self-regulated learning from prior forms. Obstacles are obtaining sufficient practice, remembering how learning was enacted, and reasoning about factors that affect learning. (SLD)

A model for teaching social studies by the discovery approach is presented. The authors maintain that the temporal inquiry teaching model holds considerable promise for encouraging student enthusiasm, emphasizing higher cognitive levels, and stimulating divergent student thinking and activity. (Author/DB)

This paper discusses the benefits of teaching literature through levels of understanding so that teachers can more quickly and efficiently determine the operational levels of individual students. The seven levels of understanding and some of the generic questions by which they can be determined are: (1) perceptual level: "What happened, when,…

This document suggests uses ways of using inventions and technologies to teach history. A list of inventions and technologies can suggest topics for student research. Books about inventions and technologies are plentiful and a good source of information for students. A field trip might be helpful, or students can interview people who are in a…

This paper examines some basic principles of learning theory that have been developed within the discipline of psychology. A brief resume of the psychologist's efforts to analyze the phenomenon of learning within a scientific setting is presented as well as attempts to apply this research to a practical situation (e.g. the classroom). More…

Describes the Microworld Chance, a simulation-oriented computer environment that allows students to explore probability concepts in five subenvironments: coins, dice, spinners, thumbtacks, and marbles. Results of a teaching experiment to examine the effectiveness of the microworld in changing students' misconceptions about probability are…

Background information to help K-12 teachers use objects found in the Smithsonian Institution or in other museums to stimulate students' creative thinking is provided. To encourage creative thinking, teachers must provide students with divergent problems, i.e., problems that are expansive, allow for a variety of responses, and have no fixed…

The writings of 33 authors in either curriculum theory or social studies are analyzed to determine whether each author supports structure-discovery views, reflective-inquiry views, or expresses views that tend to reflect both positions or neither position regarding the new approaches to teaching social studies. The structure-discovery method is…

This publication is a practical guide for teachers to improve their questioning techniques and thus increase their students' motivation, participation, and higher-level thinking. Teachers are urged to re-examine their views on educational practices and develop a teaching plan which accentuates opportunities for student involvement, and allows…

Reviewed are three computer software programs: (1) "World GeoGraph"--geography, discovery tool, grades 6-12, Apple IIGS; (2) "Grammatik III"--language arts, grade 7-adult, IBM, PS/2, Tandy 1000; (3) "Words & Concepts I, II, III"--language and concept training for special education, age 3-9, Apple II with speech…