Contribution: This study focuses on microcontroller circuits and aims to: 1) investigate the impact of formal reasoning on students' post-knowledge using catastrophe theory; 2) compare the different combination sequences of tangible user interface (TUI) and graphical user interface (GUI); and 3) assess the usability of both interfaces and explore…

A multi-perspective, exploratory framework applicable to all critical thinking, creative and communication acts, 3D-Briefing synthesizes meticulous enquiry questions with a user-focused, equitable stance toward meaning production. It scaffolds identification, interpretation, evaluation, reflection and action in a user-empowered, three step process…

Learning to write well is a significant outcome of higher education, as confirmed and illustrated in the Written Communication VALUE Rubric of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). Scholars agree that writing and thinking are linked. Thinking about this relationship between writing and thinking in the context of…

This article addresses 3 broad challenges of assessment in reading comprehension: (a) explicitly articulating the knowledge and skills students need to recognize and be able to use in comprehending complex texts; (b) understanding how knowledge and skills progress and successively deepen and develop over repeated opportunities to engage in tasks…

Although service learning provides unparalleled real world experiential student learning opportunities and benefits to four major constituencies--student, faculty, community and institution, it takes place in an uncontrolled environment introducing uncertainty into the instructional process. Faculty might avoid this valuable approach to…

Scott Snair proposes a mnemonic for students to use when critically examining written opinion. The acronym, RATTKISS, represents a "step-by-step method for understanding and evaluating written opinion." (Contains 1 figure.)

The author names the seven deadly myths of education and explains why they are myths rather than facts. (Editor)

Examines existing research and instructional design theories for guidelines that encourage a deep approach to learning, i.e., meaningful learning, critical thinking, or independent learning. Highlights include sequencing strategies and elaboration theory, linking concepts, student misconceptions, changing the attitudes of teachers, and projects…

Examined how elementary students' use of critical thinking in their movement actions was inspired by an "expert" teacher's task design, task presentation, and instructional strategies during creative dance lessons. Data from videotaped lessons and written anecdotes indicated that by presenting sequential, open- ended tasks and learning…

An examination of student papers from three universities on the same tasks revealed that expository writing tasks were less demanding cognitively than argumentative writing tasks and that argumentative writing tasks were less demanding than speculative tasks. Another finding was that when students were able to translate a generalized task into…

This article presents 10 practical teaching procedures to encourage students to develop formal reasoning skills. A twelfth-grade English course is used as an example. Procedures include pretesting, sequencing instruction, providing students with concrete experiences, discussing reasoning patterns and forms of argumentation, assigning argumentative…

Examines the relationship between teaching content or knowledge, and teaching the skills of critical thinking and problem solving. Presents key strategies to help students understand and develop critical thinking skills. Recommends use of the developmental lesson and provides several model lessons. (LS)

The booklet identifies 217 geography skills to be acquired by students in kindergarten through grade six. It is intended to help teachers in developing geographical strands and outcomes in the elementary social studies curriculum. Skills are presented for three grade levels: kindergarten through grade two, grades three and four, and grades five…

This booklet outlines competencies for consumer education courses in grades seven through 12 in the Philadelphia school system. Consumer education is seen to develop students' abilities to cope with situations encountered daily in their roles in our economic system. It puts into practice the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening,…

This booklet outlines specific competencies for social studies education in grades one through six in the Philadelphia school system. The focus of social studies education is seen to be the transmission of knowledge and inculcation of skills and attitudes essential for good citizenship in an interdependent world. Five important areas which…