Examines the relationship of microcomputer simulation graphics and alphanumeric modes of data presentation to ninth-grade biology students' science process skills and conceptual understanding of selected science topics (N=64). Concludes that use of microcomputers and appropriate software can result in significant learning and understanding of…

Presents sample lab activities in algebra for representing functions in concrete, tabular, graphic, algebraic, and word format. Activities described actively involve students in hands-on models. Problem-solving techniques and technology help to form algebraic-thinking skills. (AIM)

Reviews some of the basic tenets of critical thinking as it applies to social studies, especially those articulated in Roland Case's and Ian Wright's article, "Taking Seriously the Teaching of Critical Thinking." Praises the article but suggests that it would be improved by tightening the central focus. (MJP)

Describes two classroom activities that introduce critical-thinking skills into social studies instruction. One is a debate, followed by position papers, on the contribution of Christopher Columbus. The other is a simulation of a Constitutional Amendment conference. Discusses which parts of the lessons specifically focus on critical-thinking…

Notes that the microgenetic method has revealed new information about normally achieving children's cognition, and reviews data from three different microgenetic studies. Concludes that there are similar sequences of strategy change, similar rates of strategy change, and similar frequency of strategy discovery and use in children with and without…

Discusses "textual intelligence": knowledge of how texts of all kinds work. Describes how the author uses grammar in his classroom to help students understand how to read and write better and how to think with greater clarity. Describes activities used before and after students read or write. Argues that grammar is a process that helps students…

Discussion of combating stereotypes of Native Americans in literature and educational resources focuses on the need to promote information literacy in order to develop students' critical thinking skills that will help with problem solving, decision-making, and creative thinking. Highlights include integrating critical thinking; resources for…

Assessed effectiveness of engaging students in a creative activity on a topic as a means of encouraging an active cognitive set toward learning that topic area. Creative task engagement was found to be an effective means of enhancing creativity (in the absence of evaluation expectation), intrinsic motivation, and long-term retention. (JBJ)

Conceptual and behavioral methods for developing student abilities to think and behave creatively are presented with suggestions for their application in entrepreneurship courses. Conceptual exercises as well as the use of musical experimentation, card games, and board games as metaphors for business situations are shown to teach a variety of…

The relationship between instruction that challenged students academically in a supportive social environment and achievement gains in mathematics and reading was studied for students in 53 third-grade classrooms served by Title I funds. Findings indicate that higher-order learning and material connected to out-of-school experience were seldom…

Assessment of general reasoning processes, elementary algebraic understanding, and novel problem solving of (n=147) seventh- and eighth-grade students found that abilities to generalize from patterns and tables of data and understanding variable constructs contributed significantly to application of algebraic concepts and processes. Questions…

Tested the hypothesis that individual differences in reading ability increase over time, by assessing children, at seven occasions between kindergarten and third grade, on various measures of reading ability, reading behavior, and attitudes toward reading. Found that individual differences among children in word recognition, but not reading…

Describes an ethnographic study that traced the narrative thinking strategies successfully used by adolescents in two self-contained special education classrooms as they made sense of their textbooks and composed original stories based on subject matter studied. Notes role-playing and composing original texts inspired by structured play also…

Examines the map-making process of middle-school students to determine which actions influence their accuracy, how prior knowledge helps their map construction, and what lessons can be learned from map making. Indicates that instruction that focuses on recognition of interconnections between map elements can promote map reasoning skills. (DSK)

Describes the development of a learning profile instrument prototype to help prepare college learners for learner-controlled instruction. Discusses learner strategies for increasing metacognitive and cognitive skills, academic motivation, required background knowledge, and self-efficacy, and reports results of testing that showed achievement gains…