Examines the use of tasks with backward false belief explanation as an effective technique in gaining a complete picture of the development of understanding of the representational mind. Argues that traditional prediction tests of false belief cannot tell whether children's wrong answers show misunderstanding about false belief or seduction by the…

This study illustrates the types of information microgenetic methods can yield. Ninety-seven 5-year olds who had not mastered number conservation were given training in conservation or in reasoning about conservation. Results elucidate how changes in thinking occur and demonstrate children's efforts to understand other people's reasoning. (SLD)

Applies a theory of analogical thinking as satisfaction of multiple constraints to the use of analogies in instruction. It shows how the strengths of particularly good analogies and the weaknesses of particularly bad ones can be understood in terms of pragmatic, semantic, and structural constraints. The constraints suggest lessons for how…

It is demonstrated that the topics discussed in contemporary research in metacognition are integral parts of the theory of cognitive development of L. S. Vygotsky. Unique to Vygotsky's approach is a focus on the sign system of human language and the linguistic tools of thought and control. (SLD)

Explores ways in which students read, think, and write about divergent points of view by analyzing transcripts of interviews with students. Finds three broad categories: "dogmatic,""noncommittal," and "analytical" approaches. Discusses pedagogical implications. (SR)

Three graphic organizers are presented to teach students the concept of main idea. One describes how to examine details in an article to determine the main idea. Another explains how specific details support main ideas. The third describes deduction, stressing the importance of expository detail to support the main idea. (SM)

Advocates using the newspaper to improve reading and writing skills of remedial secondary students. Discusses using the newspaper with regard to disabled readers, enhancement of comprehension, critical thinking skills, increased vocabulary, creative writing opportunities, increased general knowledge, and extension activities. (SR)

Discusses the problem-solving heuristics of examining for special cases, utilizing dimensions to make sense of proposed solutions, and symmetry. Presents examples to illustrate the use of one or combinations of these heuristics. (MDH)

Presents a lesson plan to help students understand that political advertisements often mislead, lie, or appeal to emotion. Suggests that the lesson will enable students to examine political advertisements analytically. Includes a worksheet to be used by students to analyze individual political advertisements. (DK)

This paper theoretically characterizes number sense as a set of cognitive capabilities for constructing and reasoning within mental models. This perspective provides support for viewing various aspects of number sense as features of students' general condition of knowing about numbers and magnitude, rather than as skills needing specific…

Reports study of college biology laboratory course where 604 students were placed in pairs based on their scientific reasoning ability (intuitive, transitional, reflective). Results indicate no significant difference between type of partner and laboratory score or posttest reasoning score. Survey results indicate reflective partner was viewed as…

Described are how students (n=2,000) reduce the complexity of multivariable problems. Tendencies toward "functional reduction" in common reasoning are shown to range from a simple reduction in the number of variables considered, to a more elaborate procedure where all variables are taken into account, but in a simplified way involving…

Compared 281 adolescent leaders to normal, at-risk, and early school leaver groups on measure of irrational thinking. Student leaders possessed significantly fewer irrational beliefs than did other groups. Leaders' beliefs about future focused on developing understanding of tomorrow, acquiring techniques for effective living, and preparing for…

Outlines evaluation criteria that may be used to determine the usefulness of science education computer software. Factors to be considered are identified as the nature of the investigation, advantages of the program over a laboratory investigation, number and types of higher order thinking skills required, concepts related to inquiry, and the…

Preservice teachers (n=75) wrote reflective essays about their experiences presenting a reflective teaching lesson that illustrated one of four different instructional domains. Analysis of the essays indicates that reflection was similar and stable across the reflective experiences, despite the instructional domain and level. (IAH)