In this essay, the idea of "method" in teacher education is explored. Using the author's own teaching as the site for this inquiry, and drawing on comments from her students, the paper proposes three ways to think of method: the methods of subject matter and the different approaches required; the methods of manner, including personal…

A study examined and tested the knowledge sources individuals tap in the planning process and the process of plan modification. It is expected that contrary to plan-based theories, individuals will fail to remediate flaws in their plans if given the chance to develop a plan to pursue the same goal. It is also expected that differences exist…

This book highlights women's achievements in science and mathematics from the first century A.D. to the present. Included are paleontologists, geologists, astronomers, mathematicians, chemists, botanists, biologists, engineers, physicians entomologists, and atomic physicists. Their noteworthy accomplishments are translated to students through…

This paper discusses a computer-based prototype called TestMaker that enables educators to create computer-based tests. Given the functional needs of faculty, the host of research implications computer technology has for assessment, and current educational perspectives such as constructivism and their impact on testing, the purposes for developing…

Based upon the principles of "I Can Problem Solve" (ICPS), this books offers parents dialogues, activities, and communication techniques to teach their children how to resolve day-to-day conflicts with friends, teachers, and family members. The book provides parents with tools to teach their children how to think about everyday problems and…

This book presents a philosophical perspective to elementary and secondary teaching based on the idea of the classroom as a community of inquiry and the idea of "Philosophy for Children." Together these provide a methodology and a content for teaching and improvement of thinking. Thinking is conceived as an enterprise which is both affective and…

A quasi-experimental, treatment-control group investigation was designed to test the effects of a preservice training course in direct instruction methodology for secondary education teachers. Previous findings from teacher-effects research and cognitive strategy instruction were translated into two direct instructional models: a model of…

This paper describes a mathematics-centered thematic unit for 5th graders which organizes all the topics in the Houghton Mifflin Mathematics Program by combining critical thinking and whole language frameworks to help students retain, understand, and make active use of knowledge within and across domains. The unit connects inquiry, goals, critical…

One teacher's experience suggests that interpretive writing stemming from the reading and discussion of a literary work, in a second language, promotes development of higher-level cognitive skills. College students in an upper-division Spanish course in one institution are engaged in a writing process with three phases: preparatory; interpretive;…

This paper describes the development, implementation, and effects of new approaches to cognitive assessment within an undergraduate engineering course at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The course, ENGR 110, "Introduction to Engineering," was designed to be a problem-based learning environment in which cadets worked in teams to solve…

The relationships between course work taken, educational needs and plans, high school attended, and PLAN test scores of high school sophomores were examined. The PLAN tests are higher-order thinking skills tests that are used in educational planning and in program and curriculum evaluation. The relationships between ethnicity or gender and test…

Research shows that probable causes for disruptive classroom behavior are broken social bonds, violent environment, stress and conflict, and inadequate curriculum coupled with ineffective teaching methods. This report discusses a program to decrease negative peer interaction in order to improve academic achievement and interpersonal relationships.…

This document is a collection of papers dealing with science achievement and teaching and learning strategies. The first paper, "Quality in the Science Curriculum," discusses quality objectives, quality learning opportunities, quality methods of instruction, quality in the philosophy of education, and quality evaluation procedures. It argues that…

Giving children the opportunity to be creative requires allowing children to find and solve problems and communicate ideas in novel and appropriate ways. This paper presents 12 basic principles for teachers to follow when presenting art activities with children. These principles include: the process of creating a picture or project is more…

This report presents the findings of a 1995 survey of 1992-93 and 1993-94 graduates of Boise State University (BSU), Idaho, which sought to identify what students valued in a college education and the extent to which they felt BSU had helped them grow in these areas. The mail survey of 1,456 graduates asked them to rate the importance of a series…