Asserts that promotion of classroom thinking generally is assumed to be the sole responsibility of the teacher. Suggests using a text that portrays students engaged in reasoning and other interventions to stimulate the growth of critical and creative thinking. (CFR)

Asserts that videotape and other technological innovations are powerful tools for enhancing learning in geography. Describes instructional methods to engage students in active learning and reflective thought. Identifies videotape programs from the National Geographic Society and the Agency for Instructional Technology. (CFR)

Investigates effect of computer-aided instruction (CAI) on acquisition of communication skills. Sketches a tutorial of the basic communication structure. Recommends confining CAI to cognitive learning because CAI cannot advance communication skills. Maintains that integrating CAI in social arrangements will allow the computer to remain an…

Presented is an activity that explores the relationship between the size of a rectangle and the number of squares intersected by a diagonal. Students incorporate pattern recognition and the concept of the greatest common divisor in solving the problem. A sample worksheet is provided. (MDH)

This article suggests ways that the Purdue Three-Stage Model, which nurtures cognitive skills of highly able students, can be applied at the secondary level. The article examines the structure of secondary schools; characteristics of gifted adolescents; program design; and three specific applications in Honors English, middle school seminars, and…

Discusses the results of a study investigating the similarities between information jobs in university computing centers and research libraries. Findings show a strong relationship between some computing and library jobs, suggesting the creation of a single information job family in classification systems. (15 references) (EA)

Proposes using computer programing teaching problem solving. Describes the problem-solving technique of Top-Down Design, discusses its application to LOGO, and provides examples of programs using LOGO. (MDH)

Case studies of elementary school and college students are used to examine the different styles of approach taken to computer programing. Introduces the term "bricoleur" to describe programers who do not take a structured approach to programing. Discusses gender differences among programers. (MDH)

Compares two instructional strategies, prompting and direct instruction, to determine which produces dialogical reasoning in written essays concerning controversial issues. Participants were 45 sixth graders. Finds both strategies equally productive and concludes that the emphasis should be on providing thought-provoking, issues-oriented social…

Stresses the importance of metacognitive skills (knowledge of one's own cognitive processes) in mathematical performance. Discusses the differences between metacognitive thinking and metacognitive experiences and the ways they each influence performance. Describes how accurate metacognition improves students' mathematical performance, and outlines…

Performance by medical school sophomores (N=106) on higher-order questions in a second year introductory medicine course did not correlate with perceived performance in subsequent clerkships any better than did performance on fact-recall items. The use of multiple clinical simulations may emerge as the only satisfactory controlled assay of…

Reports on a collaboration between an economist and a writing instructor in using a writing-to-learn approach in a higher education history of economic thought course. Describes the course content, provides examples of writing assignments, and student evaluation sheets. (CFR)

Asserts that presidential elections and the Electoral College provide opportunities to combine instruction in government and geography. Presents a week-long unit designed for grades 6-12 that utilizes 4 different instructional strategies. Includes relevant excerpts from the U.S. Constitution and data sheets, maps, and charts. (CFR)

Examined cognitive processing and performance of 12 average seventh-grade students during cooperative problem solving. Factors that impeded performance included lack of an experiential framework, imposition of unrequired restrictions, lack of individual monitoring of cognitive activity, and unproductive beliefs. Factors that enhanced performance…

Describes the experiences of one high school class as they attempted to sort out the conflicting representations of Christopher Columbus. The students examined several textbooks and other histories. They then conducted a mock trial to determine if Columbus should be considered a criminal, a hero, or both. (MJP)