The hypothesis that when true group tasks feature ill-structured problems, interaction will predict learning that involves higher-order thinking skills was tested with middle school students with a strategy called complex instruction. Complex instruction is designed for heterogeneous classrooms in which teaching objectives are conceptual and…

This guide, based on the Texas Education Agency's "essential elements," presents a model for providing differentiated instruction for gifted high school students in any area of content and within any educational setting. The guide provides strategies for changing the following dimensions of the curriculum: (1) content or subject matter,…

An adult education program designed to help limited-English-proficient students through the transition from basic English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction to more comprehensive adult basic education (ABE) is described. This transition is often difficult because of a mix of student needs, literacy backgrounds, and language proficiency levels…

The paper reviews literature on three orientations to teachers' reflective thinking (cognitive, critical, and narrative). The cognitive approach includes studies of teachers' information processing and decision making, emphasizing how teachers make decisions. The critical approach has its roots in problem framing and ethical and moral reasoning.…

The main purposes of this study were to determine: (1) how high school students represent the physical phenomena of phase changes; (2) how they modify their representation of these physical phenomena to accommodate new observation; (3) what factors lead to student difficulty in modifying representations; and (4) how the…

This Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) module addresses general information related to the instructional/teaching strategies and cognitive/learning strategies for special needs students in marketing and distributive education. In addition, specific strategies are suggested as they relate to Access Skills objectives for some of the…

A frequent criticism of education in the United States today is that teachers are not challenging and teaching students to think beyond the simple task of recalling information. In response to this criticism, during the school year of 1986-1987, the Delaware Department of Public Instruction and local school districts provided a staff development…

This paper: (1) demonstrates how computers can be a powerful and vital tool when combined with Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences to enable educators to reach students with a variety of learning styles; and (2) provides a model of using one form of technology, computers, in connection with the intelligences to help students learn to…

This report presents an examination of the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of an instructional unit designed to help high risk sixth grade students become better problem solvers through the teaching of the decision-making process. The systems approach outlined in the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) Model was used to formulate…

The work of the National Research Center on Student Learning (CSL) is described. The CSL, one of 23 national centers funded by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, is an integral part of the Learning Research and Development Center of the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). The CSL conducts interdisciplinary research that…

Cognitively-based writing instruction for educationally disadvantaged students is examined, focusing on epistemic writing. The object of epistemic writing is to inquire into a particular topic and to familiarize/persuade the reader with the fruits of the investigation. In reviewing the distinctions between novice and expert writers, two models of…

This document was developed to assist Colorado school districts in establishing a comprehensive arts curriculum. The assigned task force identified three goals: (1) expression, production, and performance of the arts; (2) analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of the arts; and (3) personal, cultural, and historical understanding. Within each…

A curriculum guide for the visual arts is presented. The goal of elementary and middle school education in the four arts disciplines is the development of basic understanding and skills by every student. In secondary education the aim is to continue a sequential curriculum for those students who study the arts. This document is intended as a guide…

A divergent thinking (DT) test format, scored for flexible and original thinking, is presented. The DT test format, designed to assess teacher competencies and estimate the transfer of competencies to new situations, was administered to graduate students enrolled in a testing course. The DT format allowed students to list phrases and sentence…

A curriculum was developed for 18 at-risk students at the fourth grade level, integrating state minimum skills for math and communication. The goal was to teach basic skills and critical thinking skills (CTS), and to see an increase in motivation, self-esteem, and student attendance through a hands-on project of building a dollhouse and its…