Describes a genetic engineering project to build an intelligent mouse. Cites understanding the molecular basis of learning and memory as a very important step. Concludes that while science will never create a genius mouse that plays the stock market, it can turn a mouse into a quick learner with a better memory. (YDS)

This essay argues that reliability should be reconceptualized in a way that reflects the importance of the theoretical expectations of the test specialist and the learning and problem solving of the test takers. It is time to characterize clearly the substantive theoretical framework supporting reliability studies and the technical evaluation of…

Offers a perspective on understanding the gap in science learning and achievement that separates low-income, ethnic minority children from more economically privileged students. Discusses how the relationship between everyday and scientific knowledge and ways of knowing has been conceptualized in the field of science education research. Considers…

Explores preparation and training of subject department heads in British secondary schools, based on interviews with 36 Welsh department heads. Heads of department valued learning about their role when working with previous heads (professional socialization) and different kinds of learning experienced when becoming heads (organizational…

Used multiple-baseline design to assess the utility of presenting three types of cues when teaching an abstract concept such as colors to three children with autism: plain, label, and symbol. Found colors presented with cues were easier to learn than color without cues. Findings support the need for sensitivity for the highly individualized…

Studied the relationship between social support for academic achievement and achievement in reading and mathematics over a school year using data from surveys of 30,000 sixth and seventh graders in Chicago. Results show social support to be modestly but positively related to learning, but both learning and the relationship between social support…

Presents an inquiry into students' conceptual development of a graphics calculator function for direction. Discusses reflective thinking and reflective enculturation, operational and structural understanding, and situated abstraction. (Contains 33 references.) (Author/ASK)

Describes efforts colleges should be making to promote student retention, especially for first-year students. Learning communities are needed to connect students, faculty members, and staff to involve them actively in shared learning activities. Academic advising must be an integral part of the first-year experience. (SLD)

Developed conceptually discrete subscales to represent affective sources of variation in student learning that are specific to learning mathematics. Tested these subscales, the Experiences of Studying Mathematics Inventory, with 317 South African and Australian undergraduate mathematics students and groups of 1,439 and 387 British, South African,…

Studied how teaching and learning in a community-based ambulatory setting varied by gender of students and preceptors using data contributed by 93 medical students on 5,017 patient encounters. Results show differences of potential importance in teaching and learning by gender of the student-preceptor dyad. (SLD)

Five knowledge management (KM) experts discuss answers to six fundamental issues of KM that address: a definition of knowledge and KM; relationship between business and KM; whether technology has helped the knowledge worker; relationship between learning, performance, knowledge, and community; the promise of knowledge ecology or ecosystem and…

Examined the best approach to the development of procedures for assessing beginning teachers, reviewing studies on teacher thinking, development, learning, and knowledge; examining studies on new approaches to teacher evaluation and on issues of validity and reliability; and proposing a framework with 15 implications for the development of…

Quantitative algebraic and qualitative topological models can be used in the quest for simple explanations in the field of teaching and learning. The examples described cover such diverse topics as teacher anxiety and classroom control, process-product studies, aptitude-treatment interactions, the pace of instruction, the size of classes, and…

Focuses on one potential source of influence on students' perceptions of a tertiary mathematics learning environment. Discusses data from two large-scale surveys (N=1883) and from smaller number of interviews (N=71) with students enrolled in tertiary mathematics courses at five Australian universities. Reveals considerable variations in the…

Determines patterns of gender differences in the science achievement of fifth graders, taking into account the role of ethnicity, ability, response format, and strands of learning outcomes. Indicates that gender differences in science achievement did not depend on ethnicity but that response format, ability, and strands of learning outcomes had…