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…

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 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…

Addresses the question of what bearing the nature of educational theories has on their application to practice and focuses on the application of normative goal-directed theories of science education. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

In response to an article in the same issue by Norris and Kvernbekk, argues that the theory of Driver and associates, elaborated upon in the three articles which form the basis for their analysis, is not a normative goal-directed theory. (DDR)

Argues that although Gardner's conception of human cognition, characterized by a set of multiple and distinct cognitive capabilities, is an advance over the narrow conception of IQ, it runs into fundamental difficulties of a methodological kind and is based on a discredited empiricist theory of knowledge which work with artificial neural networks…

Replies to "The Theory of Multiple Intelligences: A Case of Missing Cognitive Matter," also in this issue. Disagrees about the role theory of knowledge plays in the context of justification of multiple intelligences. Specifically, asserts that the article's criticisms based on philosophy of science claims and work with artificial neural…

Interest in mathematics learning that focuses on understanding, mathematical reasoning, and meaning-making underscores the need to develop ways of analyzing classrooms that foster certain types of learning. The goal of this paper is to show that the constructs of social and sociomathematical norms, which grew out of taking a symbolic…

This paper addresses dilemmas in the practices of six teachers from the perspective of alternate paradigms of knowledge growth, particularly constructivism. The dilemmas focus on the relationships between theory and practice in the growth of knowledge in learning and teaching mathematics. The data for this study are drawn from a four-year…