This article describes an experimental course in advanced thinking developed for a group of exceptionally able British lower sixth formers. The course stresses: (1) practice in efficient deductive reasoning; (2) elucidation and consideration of major thought processes and concepts; and (3) exploration of various aspects of the evolution of…

Examines an attempt to encourage integration of knowledge learned in the academy with knowledge learned in practice as a means to challenge educational practitioners' (i.e., teacher leaders and inservice teacher educators) existing conceptions and beliefs and promote intellectual restructuring. (Contains 16 references.) (Author/ASK)

Describes how to deal with students' structuring of rectangular arrays of squares and other two-dimensional regions. Presents activities that connect spatial structuring to the development of multiplicative thinking. (ASK)

Outlines the approach of a study that aimed to observe young children as they constructed meanings for randomness in computer-based setting. Provides a snapshot of two children working with the tools made available in that setting. Uses this picture to begin the formulation of a theoretical framework for the construction of meaning in one…

Investigates the relationship of cognitive and demographic variables to learning outcomes from a multimedia Goal-Based Scenario (GBS) lesson on DNA. Focuses on gender, ethnicity, prior science coursework in college and high school, final score in current chemistry course as demographic variables and logical thinking ability, spatial ability, and…

Introduces five approaches--problem solving/problem based learning, authentic assessment, writing and communication skills, peer and self evaluation, and fostering curiosity. Suggests that these approaches bring critical thinking to the learning process. (Contains 15 references.) (YDS)

Demonstrated an experiment on the properties of air to 2 groups of Swedish fourth graders (total n=45), using familiar materials in one case and unfamiliar, "scientific," materials in the other. Written explanations by students show that the unfamiliar materials were a barrier to understanding and may have actually obstructed students'…

There are two kinds of logical reasoning: "inductive" and "deductive". Inductive reasoning proceeds from effect back to cause, from special case to general principle. Detectives use it, examining the clues and conjecturing the actions that caused them. On the other hand, deductive reasoning proceeds from cause to effect, from principle to…

In this study, we investigated the fluency with which first graders of different mathematical achievement levels applied multiple, school-taught strategies for finding arithmetic sums over 10. We characterized children's strategies with the 4 parameters of Lemaire and Siegler's (1995) model of strategy change (strategy repertoire, distribution,…

Objective: Deficits in executive functioning, including working memory (WM) deficits, have been suggested to be important in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During 2002 to 2003, the authors conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial to investigate the effect of improving WM by computerized, systematic…

In any elementary school classroom, a teacher will occasionally observe students involved in activities that seem neither honest nor ethical. What can teachers do to stimulate moral reasoning skills and principled attitudes in the elementary grades? This article suggests that situational learning is idea for developing moral reasoning in today's…

We live in a global era of transcendent democracy. According to recent surveys by Freedom House, most peoples of the world favor democracy over other types of government. A global revival of education for democratic citizenship accompanies the worldwide resurgence of democracy. Diverse peoples in various parts of the world commonly understand that…

This work provides a correlation study of the role of the following cognitive variables on problem solving in elementary physical chemistry: scientific reasoning (level of intellectual development/developmental level), working-memory capacity, functional mental ("M") capacity, and disembedding ability (i.e., degree of perceptual field…

It is important to appreciate differences in perspectives in order to gain an understanding of others. Teachers can foster the disposition of perspective-taking among students by engaging them in learning opportunities that allow them to discover and reflect on the similarities as well as the differences among people of the world. Such activities…

Feedback is one of the most important aspects of improving performance because it corrects, reinforces, and motivates. It can also create bonds and enable students to see that their performance is important. This article defines feedback, presents three important functions of feedback, identifies the four forms of feedback, gives examples of…