Maintains that, before developing a curriculum to teach critical thinking in the social studies, it is necessary to conceptualize what critical thinking is. Discusses three definitions of critical thinking along with three strategies for teaching critical thinking. (CFR)

Reports on an exploratory study of a metacognitive approach to teaching low achieving secondary students. Asserts that the research team hoped to examine a process whereby a dialog about learning processes would develop. Finds that all students indicated that they were able to focus on learning as a topic of conversation. (CFR)

Reviews theories of anchored instruction and addresses issues related to learning, transfer, and assessment. Highlights include video-based macrocontexts; videodisc anchors versus computer-based simulations; cooperative learning; transfer outside the classroom; authenticity; visual anchors versus verbal anchors; situated cognition; and using…

Journal writing accompanies the fieldwork of students pursuing library degrees at Queensland University of Technology (Australia). It helps students reflect on various aspects of the practicum experience. This article describes student and supervisor responsibilities in the journalling process, and discusses survey results and anecdotal evidence…

Utilizes the Gregoric Style Delineator (GSD) and other questionnaire instruments to determine the effects of learning styles on the effectiveness of music instruction via interactive audio CD-ROM. Results showed little statistical difference between learning styles. Includes concise descriptions of Gregoric and others' research into learning…

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) changes cognition and behavior in students. Their learning needs are different from students with other exceptionalities. General and special education teachers can use specific strategies based on learning style, along with certain resources, with students who have experienced a TBI to promote learning in reading,…

This study concerns the application of tools and methods of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in the traditional class. More concretely, the design of an instructional aid called "lesson sheets" is discussed, according to specific guidelines, which evolve from the corresponding educational theories. Accordingly, the application of the…

The purpose of this fastback is to help teachers find out how children acquire a second language and explore the linguistic foundations on which sound English as a Second Language (ESL) curricula can be developed. It is intended for the regular classroom teacher, not the ESL specialist. Central findings in research on second language learning…

This paper describes the design and results of a study carried out with elementary pupils ages 8-9 years on the topic of sinking and floating, with the aim of checking the validity of a general scheme for classroom activities based on a constructivist perspective. Children's "ways of looking" at buoyancy and the production of materials…

To improve students' self-concept and vocabulary scores, a practicum unit based in Graeco/Latin derivatives studies in varied learning styles strategies was developed for use in an eleventh grade English class (18 students). After the language analysis and preferred modalities of the target class were identified, students were assigned a target…

In an effort to validate dynamic assessment methods influenced by Vygotsky's (1978) definition of zones of proximal development (an indicator of readiness), three sets of experiments addressed two goals: the development of diagnostic assessment methods and the use of diagnostic results to guide the design of instructional programs. The first two…

This paper begins with a summary and analysis of Robert Glaser's arguments, presented in his paper "Education and Thinking: The Role of Knowledge," which contend there are strong interactions between structures of knowledge and cognitive processes, and that problem solving and reasoning are taught best in the context of the acquisition…

Described are the initial prototypes of several intelligent tutoring systems designed to build students' scientific inquiry skills. These inquiry skills are taught in the context of acquiring knowledge of principles from a microworld that models a specific domain. This paper discusses microworlds that have been implemented for microeconomics,…

The Action Oriented, Reflection Oriented (AORO) observation instrument was designed to help teachers determine their students' cognitive preferences. The assumption underlying the instrument was that learning is enhanced when teaching strategies and materials take into account the student's natural tendency toward action or reflection. AORO…

Differences in learning processes were studied in more versus less intellectually able undergraduate students. Thirty subjects were selected to represent a wide range of general and mathematical reasoning abilities, based on the following test scores: Necessary Arithmetic Operations and Vocabulary Test V2 from the Educational Testing Service ETS…