The purpose of this study was to investigate the beliefs of six experienced high school science teachers about (1) what is successful science learning; (2) what are the purposes of laboratory in science teaching; and (3) how inquiry is implemented in the classroom. An interpretive multiple case study with an ethnographic orientation was used. The…

Fostering students' mathematical thinking requires regularly presenting them with challenging problems and involving them in the processes of mathematical inquiry (e.g., representing and solving problems; making, testing, and justifying conjectures). The Inverting a 36 Penny Triangular Array problem (called the Inverting problem, for short) is a…

Incorporating inquiry-based learning in the college-level introductory biology laboratory is challenging because the labs serve the dual purpose of providing a hands-on opportunity to explore content while also emphasizing the development of scientific process skills. Time limitations and variations in student preparedness for college further…

In this paper three different meanings ascribed to reflective teaching are examined. The first, Cruikshank's Reflective Teaching Model, sees reflective teaching as the ability to analyze one's own teaching practices. Schon's "Reflection in Action," on the other hand, argues that the professional practitioner is one who can think while acting and…

Problem solving has long been a concern of science educators, with many asserting that problem solving should be both the overriding method and valued outcome of science instruction in American schools. This information bulletin synthesizes studies that deal with the relationships between the teaching of problem solving and secondary school…

This study compares the abilities of urban, suburban, and rural students to think critically in the social studies. The specific purpose was to determine if differences existed among the three categories of elementary students. Eight hundred and twenty five 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from urban, suburban, and rural schools in Washington D.…

A SERIES OF PAPERS DEALING WITH THE TEACHING OF THINKING TO ADOLESCENTS IS CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT FROM THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS. TOPICS INCLUDE--(1) A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THINKING AND TEACHING, (2) THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENT THINKING, (3) FACTORS RELATED TO THINKING READINESS, (4) TEACHING PUPILS HOW TO THINK,…

The purpose of this study was to develop evaluation procedures and to test the evidence of concept learning at various cognitive levels in an experimental social studies curriculum. A number of social science concepts relating to the use of natural resources were identified for use with Curriculum Model #1 on the Quabbin Reservoir system. A…

Presented is the experimental edition of Unit I: Exploring My Environment, which consists of 29 life science curriculum activities intended for the 13-to-15-year-old educable mentally retarded child. The curriculum guide is being used in the final field test prior to revision. Stressed throughout the program are ecological themes, inquiry skills,…

Presented is the experimental edition of Unit II: Me as a Habitat, which consists of 19 life science curriculum activities intended for the 13-to-15-year-old educable mentally retarded child. The curriculum guide is being used in the final field test prior to revision. Stressed throughout the program are ecological themes, inquiry skills, problem…

Presented is the experimental edition of Unit III: Energy Relationships in My Environment, which consists of 25 life science curriculum activities intended for the 13-to-15-year-old educable mentally retarded child. The curriculum guide is being used in the final field test prior to revision. Stressed throughout the program are ecological themes,…

Presented is the experimental edition of Unit IV: Transfer and Cycling of Materials in My Environment, which consists of 29 life science curriculum activities intended for the 13-to-15-year-old educable mentally retarded child. The curriculum guide is being used in the final field test prior to revision. Stressed throughout the program are…

This study was designed to determine if there were certain aspects of cognitive/personality style that affected prospective teachers' choice of problem-solving paradigm and presentation of inquiry. Fifty-six undergraduate elementary education majors were given the Paragraph Completion Test, which measures conceptual level, and the Group Embedded…

Bibliographic instruction can do more than provide directions on library use for a specific assignment; it can contribute to the objectives of liberal education by teaching skills in asking questions, critically analyzing information, and answering questions. (MSE)

This publication offers teachers and principals a program for customizing schooling to individual students' learning needs and motivating them to take increased responsibility for deciding what and how to learn. It presents a comprehensive framework for introducing self-directed learning (SDL) approaches in the classroom. Nine chapters include:…