An educational assessment embodies an argument from a handful of observations of what students say, do or make in a handful of particular circumstances, to what they know or can do in what kinds of situations more broadly. This article discusses ways in which research into the nature and development of expertise can help assessment designers…

Change and complexity are creating a need for increasing levels of literacy in science and technology. Presently, we are beginning to provide students with clear contexts in which to learn, including clearly written text, visual displays and maps, and more effective instruction. We are also beginning to give students tools that promote their own…

Focuses on the general history, educational developments after 1923 and after 1960, primary science education developments, and a summary of the developments and changes in science education in Turkey. (DDR)

Describes the assumptions of a constructivist epistemology, contrasts them with objectivist assumptions, and describes instructional systems that can support constructive learning at a distance. Highlights include paradigm shifts in learning and instructional design theory; computer-mediated communication; computer-supported collaborative work;…

Provides a detailed, technical introduction to the state of cognitive science research, in particular the rise of the "new cognitive science," especially artificial neural net (ANN) models. Explains one influential ANN model and describes diverse applications and their implications for education. (EV)

Discusses the basic elements of a global cognitive theory for information retrieval (IR) interaction from a cognitive point of view. Within this framework are outlined the principles underlying the concept of polyrepresentation applied simultaneously to the user's cognitive space and the information space of IR systems. Contains 95 references.…

This paper explores the nature and structure of scientific models by taking the position that representations are not models themselves. Representations of models are essential tools for communicating and conversing about the scientific models underlying them. A scientific model is considered to be a set of ideas that describe a natural process. A…

Discusses two models of the mind: the influential model of "mind as container," in which the mind is akin to a computer storing data; and a connectionist model, in which the brain does not actually store or contain knowledge in the sense traditionally believed. Discusses the second model's implications for education. (EV)

Explains the origin and goals of cognitive flexibility theory and discusses new directions being explored. Topics include hypermedia systems; multiple knowledge representations; interconnectedness; context-dependency; digital video cases; experience acceleration; and bridging knowledge and practice, cognitive, individualistic practices and…

This paper reports on an interdisciplinary theoretical framework for the characterization of models and modeling that can be useful in application to chemistry education. The underlying argument marks a departure from an emphasis on concepts that are the outcomes of chemical inquiry about how knowledge growth occurs through modeling in chemistry.…

Reports on the field of experimental economics and speculates about why we value fairness and cooperation over the seemingly more rational selfishness. Illustrates a typical decision making situation using the Ultimatum game. (DDR)

Explores whether construction of integrated knowledge structures by students can be stimulated by concept mapping and better visualization of concepts and their interrelationships. Significant effects of concept mapping as an instructional method could not be detected. (Contains 18 references.) (DDR)

This paper considers the work of Martin Heidegger and its relation to situated cognition. The motivation for the paper springs from the perceived misconception that many educators have on situated cognition by applying situated learning strategies in a dualistic orientation, whereas situated cognition is fundamentally relativist (non-dualistic) in…