Preferences are influenced by the presence or absence of salient choice options, known as reference points. This behavioral tendency is traditionally attributed to the loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity assumptions of prospect theory. In contrast, some psychological research suggests that reference dependence is caused by attentional biases…

Over recent years the higher education sector has been encouraged to find different, effective and flexible ways of teaching. This enthusiasm is apparent more than ever before, as the current British Conservative government has produced a white paper on the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). The TEF intends to measure and improve the quality of…

This article engages with debates about transformative learning and social change, exploring practitioner perspectives on non-formal education activities run by non-governmental organisations. The research looked at how global citizenship education practitioners met their organisation's goals of change for social justice through educational…

The article is a short historical survey of post World War II publications in adult education research. (MF)

In part 1 (SE 532 193) an outline of Ausubel's learning theory was given. The application of the theory to elementary school science is addressed in this part, clarifying what elementary science means and indicating how it relates to what may be expected to be already known by elementary school children. (Author/JN)

Presents a survey and analysis of research related to the development of concepts of matter. Proposes that the clarity with which students understand the distinction between matter and objects influences their explanations. Contains 111 references. (DDR)

The "Approaches to teaching inventory" (ATI) is now being widely used as an instrument for formally monitoring approaches to teaching. A lesser-known use is as a stimulant for discussion among groups of teachers to raise awareness of the variation in qualitatively different ways of approaching teaching. The phenomenographic origins of…

Addresses the interface between two scientific disciplines, chemistry and physics, and suggests that learners do not readily integrate their knowledge across such domains. Recommends further research on how demarcations encourage learners. Contains 46 references. (DDR)

Explores the development of children's conception of a substance and reports the findings in relation to children's understanding of boiling water and particle ideas. Argues that boiling water should have a broad significance in the curriculum. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

Observed that teachers and students play reciprocal roles in learning. States that students learn in schemata units, and provides the list of teaching skills required to maximize these methods. Concludes that teachers must understand children's intellectual processes in order to nurture them. (NL)

Considers the metaphor of science education research as fields of inquiry. Groups the papers that have appeared in Studies in Science Education according to their contribution to the development of this metaphor. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Summarizes the principal arguments and recommendations in the report "Beyond 2000: Science Education for the Future," funded by the Nuffield Foundation. Presents a new vision of science education and offers 10 recommendations for change. (DDR)

In the primary grades, pupil teacher interaction is paramount. Basic subjects are important, but not as important as happiness, fulfillment, caring relationships, and conviviality. Skills must be improved but not at the expense of these higher goals of education. (Author/SJL)

Science In a Social CONtext is a series of eight books based on the project SISCON-in-Schools. The books provide a new course in science and society for general studies at sixth-form level. The course has been specially designed to make scientific problems accessible to the non-scientist, as well as to explain the social aspects of science to the…

Reports on the evaluation of a three-year curriculum initiative introducing technology education through a learner-centered, problem solving and collaborative approach. Draws attention to the critical impact the project had on the pedagogy of teachers. (DDR)