The results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) published in 1977 suggested that the achievement of New Zealand students in science could be considerably improved. A significant barrier to improving achievement, particularly in the physical sciences, was identified as a lack of teacher knowledge of the scientific…

This paper is intended as a discussion paper to open up talk in the literacy community on how literacy programs can account for the impact violence has on learning. It builds on the author's previous research on issues raised by literacy workers, educators, researchers, academics, therapists, and counselors concerning this impact. The current…

Mature and relatively less mature learning communities are examined in this paper to uncover the role shared values and vision have played in professional learning community development. It provides an overview of a 5-year, national study examining how professional learning communities within schools are created; a report of findings gathered from…

This report asks how the insights from the research reviewed in the National Research Council's "How People Learn" (1999) can be incorporated into classroom practice. The report also suggests a research and development agenda that would inform and stimulate the required change. Following an introductory chapter that frames the agenda of…

This book describes how examinations and national assessments can be used to encourage more pedgaogically sound teaching and learning. It provides concrete examples of ways to measure student learning and describes how to develop, score, and interpret tests to ensure that they are valid, reliable, and fair to all children. It offers techniques and…

This document describes the curriculum philosophy of Lethbridge Community College (Canada) (LCC), which integrates several concepts: learning college principles, constructivist learning paradigm , BP'9700 directions, distributed learning characteristics, and curriculum components of learner, setting, and subject. This framework provides all…

This paper has three objectives: (1) to examine the context in which faculty developers operate; (2) to review 25-year program of research for the findings that are most pertinent to teacher developers; and (3) to situate research into teacher development and consider the strategies that might persuade others to conduct research into teacher…

The chapters in this collection, distributed to conference participants as a springboard for conference discussions, consider sustainable models for school-family-community collaboration, partnerships in education, and other ways to improve learning for urban youth. The contributions are: (1) "The Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community"…

The Learning Record is a framework teachers can use to translate their observations of students into a disciplined, systematic, standards-based reporting process. This guide offers all the information necessary to use the Learning Record in elementary school. The chapters are: (1) "Documenting Prior Experience"; (2) "Documenting Student Learning";…

Selections in this reader explore some current and influential thinking about learning and assessment. It provides a theoretical framework for considering past and current developments in research into the mind and learning. The chapters are: (1) "On Becoming Labeled--the Story of Adam" (R.P. McDermott); (2) "Reconstructing Educational Psychology"…

This paper focuses on the development of instruments to measure technology integration in learning environments. The model used as the basis for these instruments is the Technology Effectiveness Framework developed at the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory and described in "Designing Learning and Technology for Educational Reform" (B.…

This exploratory study examined errors that students commit in solving multiple-choice questions about descriptive statistics and basic concepts in research methods. The sample consisted of 81 undergraduate students in an introductory statistics course. The majority (85%) of the participants were female students enrolled in education, sociology,…

This study tested the Adult Distance Study through Computer Conferencing (ADSCC) model developed by D. Eastmond (1994) to determine if learner readiness, online features, and computer mediated communication (CMC)-related learning approaches are associated with learner satisfaction in an academic computer conference. Participants were 50 students…

This document is a guide for teaching and learning concerning inquiry education. It identifies scientific inquiry in correlation with the National Science Education Standards and discusses the various functions and strategies for assessment. Contents include: (1) Inquiry in Science and in Classrooms; (2) Inquiry in the National Science Education…

The Vicarious Learning project is aimed at understanding the role of dialogue in learning about complex conceptual domains. The fundamental assumption of "vicarious learning" is that students can receive benefits from exposure to discussions among their peers and between students and tutors. To elicit dialogues that can be captured, F.…