Describes a science program designed to attract children to science through an extended study of biology. Presents a detailed description of the various professional development activities and the results of the formative evaluation of the program. (DDR)

Reviews a science textbook entitled "Logical Reasoning in Science & Technology" which teaches traditional scientific facts, principles, and processes embedded in a social and technological context meaningful to an adolescent. Stresses critical-thinking and decision-making skills. Contains 28 references. (DDR)

Describes a mathematical investigation centered on collecting and analyzing data in a scientific setting. The first experiment teaches the basics of data collection--students should be able to identify variables that might have affected experimental results. The second activity includes designing an experiment to control for these variables. The…

Discusses a performance assessment tool that entails open-ended tasks requiring students not only to provide answers but to show their solution processes. Discusses several areas to address in developing open-ended tasks. Areas include the need to assess important mathematical content and cognitive processes, use of effective prompts, and use of…

Describes a workshop to provide parents, their elementary school children, and elementary teachers with a common science learning environment. It included 45 activities/demonstrations with directions and learning notes. The primary goal was to promote inquiry through involvement and interaction with each other, discovery, discussion, and thinking…

The activation of real-world knowledge displayed by 91 Japanese fifth graders in solving school mathematics problems was compared to that of 75 previously studied Belgian students. Children in both cultures had a similar tendency to neglect common sense knowledge and realistic considerations as they attempted to solve word problems. (SLD)

Structural communication applies principles of cognitive psychology to the design of self-instructional materials. While most early implementations took print form, advances in computer and interactive video technologies offer increased opportunities, especially in distance education. Summarizes studies on structural communication in writing…

Suggests parents use catalogs to help children increase reading and math skills. Points out that catalogs link language and print, that children can increase vocabulary through picture naming, and that sorting pictures and classifying objects can increase thinking skills. Suggests that children can practice adding, counting, and comparison…

Proposes an approach to teaching reasoning through classroom conversation that integrates group work around computers into curriculum-related activities. The article examines research on collaborative learning and describes a program in which the computer is used to direct children's explicit, joint reasoning in curriculum-related activities. (79…

Investigates whether children ages 1;6 just beginning to learn words can learn new words in a variety of nonostensive contexts. The results of two studies involving adults interacting with children in games of searching for objects suggest that from very early in language acquisition, children learn words through active attempts to understand…

Use of the SOLO (Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes) Taxonomy for developing and assessing higher-order thinking in higher education is discussed. Research into the instrument's use to discover what students know and believe about their own learning, to assess entering knowledge in a discipline, to provide models of desired learning outcomes,…

Adults should introduce children to philosophy very young. By reading and discussing philosophic themes, children's natural philosophic talents turn toward real life issues. Parents can help children develop more reflective responses to life by playing thinking games, listening to children's comments, exploring philosophic questions when reading…

Examines student learning in virtual courses and the relationship between their performance and thinking styles based on a study of Israeli junior high school students. Topics include students' scholastic performance and grades; successful Web searches; completion of assignments; use of asynchronous communication channels; student attitudes;…

Discusses the use of cognitive strategy instruction to improve students' performance in mathematics. The theoretical and research base for strategy instruction is reviewed, and developmental characteristics of students who have difficulties in mathematics are examined. A practical example of cognitive strategy instruction illustrates assessment…

Presents a response to, and critique of, the purely postmodernist approach to the study of history. Maintains that an appreciation of the subjective and constructed nature of knowledge still can be integrated, as a component, into a study of the understanding, construction, and transcription of history. (MJP)