The arts have been part of human endeavor throughout the history of civilization. They have defined cultures and enriched our lives. Despite their value, the arts have not been given equal priority with other academic disciplines, either in K-12 or in tertiary education. Recognizing the value of arts education for the overall cognitive development…

Psychological science has much to contribute to enhancing teaching and learning in the classroom. Teaching and learning are intricately linked to social and behavioral factors of human development, including cognition, motivation, social interaction, and communication. Psychological science can also provide key insights on effective instruction,…

In this paper, we compare and contrast our experiences in using standards-based grading in different courses and across two separate institutions to explore the related tradeoffs and subtleties in designing and implementing such grading systems, guided by innovation diffusion theory. We summarize our individual courses, use Linda Nilson's criteria…

Psychological science has much to contribute to enhancing teaching and learning in the classroom. Teaching and learning, in turn, are intricately linked to social and behavioral factors of human development, including cognition, motivation, social interaction, and communication. Psychological science also contributes to effective instruction;…

This article describes an initiative undertaken by a coalition of psychologists (Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education) from the American Psychological Association (APA) to identify the top 20 principles from psychological science relevant to teaching and learning in the classroom. This article identifies these principles and their…

Significant life experience research suggests that outdoor experiences foster proenvironmental outcomes. Time spent outdoors is more frequently identified as the source of proenvironmental behavior than is education, suggesting that cognition may be less important than affect. Yet, environmental education field programs are often evaluated on…

STRUCTURAL (NONCONTENT) DIMENSIONS OF CHILDREN'S POLITICAL ATTITUDES AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT WERE INVESTIGATED USING NEW METHODS DERIVED FROM SELF-REPORT DATA. THE CONSTRUCT, "ATTITUDE-CONCEPT SYSTEM," WAS INTRODUCED TO DESIGNATE EVALUATIONS OF AN ATTITUDE OBJECT AND BELIEFS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVALUATION. THE FIVE STRUCTURAL DIMENSIONS…

Many researchers have investigated the effects of students' prior knowledge upon learning chemistry, for example, the tenacity of alternative conceptions. Knowledge about learning also shapes students' learning of chemistry. This research describes the development of CHEMX, a survey instrument that measures an aspect of knowledge about learning…

This paper discusses a cross-sectional study that assessed the moral development profiles of undergraduate pharmacy students (n=71) using Rest's Defining Issues Test. Analysis showed no significant difference in mean level of principled moral reasoning between first and fourth professional year undergraduate students. (GLR)

The cumulative impact of self contained class placement for 43 gifted students (grades 6 through 8) was assessed and compared to that of 38 gifted students in regular age-grade placement. Ss were compared across multiple goal domains relevant to gifted education (higher order cognitive skills, personal autonomy and responsibility for learning,…

The need for ongoing evaluation of physical education programs in the context of the total school curriculum is discussed, and the following objectives of physical education are identified: 1) development of attitudes toward physical activity based on individual student needs; 2) experience in physical ability; 3) knowledge about physical ability;…

This document discusses the role and the scope of evaluation in the mathematics classroom. The scope of mathematics objectives to be evaluated, the scope of evaluation purposes in the mathematics classroom, and the scope of evaluation procedures are noted. Specific comments are made on various evaluation procedures, including: (1) observations;…

Values and the process of valuing were studied among college students. A framework for conceptualizing college student values developed over a period of 2 years by a 10-member faculty and staff committee at Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond) involved the movement of students from recognition of values, through critical thinking, to…

Argues that critical thinking is best learned where fellow students respond and react as well as replicate and evaluate. Suggests methods and techniques for doing critical thinking. Discusses thesis formulation, concept application, judgments and conclusions, cause and effect relationships, criteria identification, structure and function,…

Reported are findings from the first year's field test of the home-oriented Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) Early Childhood Education Program for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. The program consists of a 30-minute daily television lesson, a weekly home visit by a paraprofessional, and group instruction once a week in a mobile classroom. The…