This study investigates what thinking skills are needed to be a good artist or art student, particularly in a secondary school art course. Following a review of the literature, a qualitative approach was used to identify, describe, and classify the thought processes that are seen by the participants as being conducive to success in visual art. The…

This book offers four standards designed to help students meet the various standards dictated by states, regions, and districts. The book is divided into four sections, one for each of the four standards: rigor, thought, diversity, and authenticity. Each section contains three chapters. The first chapter in each section introduces the standard and…

This paper proposes a model for teaching and learning complex thinking skills developed from a synthesis of theories and research. The model functions like a concept map or a graphic organizer with five major components, each discussed in this paper: (1) presence of complex authentic life situations within a context; (2) activation and execution…

Philosophy for Children, a program incorporating teaching methods of inquiry among groups of students and designed to introduce students to philosophy through texts designed to generate discussion, has grown enormously since its inception in the late 1960s. Experimental research on the program's impact has demonstrated significant gains in…

Successful adult students employ strategies to learn, and effective adult education programs attend to the development of learning by enabling students to study learning processes in addition to content. Good learners have the ability to identify goals and the steps required to achieve them, identify the strengths of their own learning, actively…

This paper provides guidelines for creating REALs (Rich Environments for Active Learning) on the World Wide Web and demonstrates how those guidelines have been applied in a variety of Web-based learning environment contexts. The paper is organized according to the following attributes of student-centered REALs: (1) promote intentional learning by…

This guide to assessment of learning based on the theory of multiple intelligences (MI) stresses the use of rubrics or guidelines that establish criteria and indicators of success. Part 1 examines the theory of evaluation and rubrics in three sections that address: current evaluation methods and their biases; effective evaluation methods and their…

A number of adults were interviewed about memories of their favorite teachers. While many could remember specific instances of connections of learning had occurred, there were only 20 who could clearly remember and articulate this form of remembering. From this relatively small group, the dominant and most enduring memory was one of emotional…

This guide contains classroom-tested problems designed to introduce and reinforce mathematical concepts in a quick, "fun" way. Activities emphasize the logic and reasoning skills needed to build a strong foundation in mathematics. The problems are thinking activities and require only upper elementary level mathematics skills. Activities are…

Mathematics is not only about learning problem-solving methods; it is also about gaining a deeper understanding of their purpose, advantages and disadvantages. Frequently, the same problem can be solved by applying several different methods. Mathematics education should also include clues to those best fitting to the person's aim. To achieve that…

Although proof and reasoning are seen as fundamental components of learning mathematics, research shows that many students continue to struggle with geometric proofs. In order to relate pedagogical methods to students' understanding of geometric proof, this 3-year project focuses on 2 components of student understanding of proof, namely, students'…

This learning module aims to engage students in problem solving, critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and cooperative learning. The module is appropriate for use in any introductory or intermediate undergraduate course that focuses on human-environment relationships. The module explains that land use/cover change has occurred at all times in all…

Since the beginning of the scientific revolution in the 1700s, the absolute scale of the human economy has increased many times over, and, with it, the impact on the natural environment. This learning module's activities introduce the student to linkages among population growth, energy use, level of economic and technological development and their…

This Texas education resource guide is provided for teachers to plan a character education program which incorporates "Building Good Citizenship for Texas" into the classroom curriculum and schoolwide activities. The guide points out that, to be effective, instruction in character education must be appropriate to the developmental level…

This book, the first in a series of four, presents a collection of articles focusing on intelligent behaviors called habits of mind. These habits of mind can aid both students and adults in school and daily life as they encounter problems, the resolutions of which are not immediately apparent. The habits are rooted in a modern view of intelligence…