Describes a teaching protocol that guides students toward connecting lab activities to the appropriate scientific concepts. Involves five steps: (1) reflective writing; (2) action; (3) dialog notes; (4) direct teaching; and (5) journal writing. (DDR)

Presents a version of the crush-the-can demonstration which is a hands-on activity in which students use an inexpensive, easily made holder for the can called Charlie's clamp. Includes some suggestions for the follow-up discussion. (DDR)

Describes reform efforts in science education at Northern Arizona University that emphasize active, inquiry-based learning in introductory biology classes. Recommends the use of a number of strategies to involve large classes in thinking about and doing science. Contains 20 references. (DDR)

Describes and analyzes a short teaching episode in a multilingual secondary mathematics classroom in South Africa where the teacher uses a participatory-inquiry approach. Argues that such an approach to teaching and learning mathematics creates dilemmas of mediation for teachers. (AIM)

Explains the philosophy that forms the basis of a high school physical science course based on astronomy and the activity-based textbook that accompanies it. Cites specific examples of misconceptions related to astronomy and recommends various diagnostic and concept change strategies. (DDR)

Describes an algebra course organized around the concept of function and based on intensive use of technology. Includes an explanation of the assessment sequence used to explore students' use of familiar representations and procedures to reason logically and to solve and communicate about unfamiliar tasks. (DDR)

Introduces the Apple Ocean activity which teaches about the diminishing natural resources of the earth including drinkable water, habitable land, and productive areas while working with fractions, ratios, and proportions. (YDS)

Describes a lesson plan that uses an inquiry, problem-based activity to educate students on gender and development inequities that women throughout the world encounter. Includes information on follow-up activities, how to use the Gender Equity and Opportunity Commission (GEOCOM) to illustrate a region and field tests of the activity. (CMK)

Offers a description of WebQuests, defining it as an activity that primarily uses Internet resources. Explains that WebQuests consist of five parts (Introduction, Task, Process, Evaluation, and Conclusion). Presents a WebQuest example used with elementary students studying ancient Egypt. Includes a list of Web sites and an example rubric. (CMK)

Describes the five-cups activity in which students explore materials in the cups. Discusses the effects of this activity on students' understanding of the nature of evidence and the quality and evaluation of that evidence. Includes test results during class and overnight. (KHR)

Tells stories of children in their first year of school (mostly age five) who were using calculators for the first time. Implications are that children's thinking moves from a rough to a more thorough and refined grasp of the whole. Learning mathematics with calculators is more like the learning of language than traditional classroom mathematics.…

Describes an activity which allows students with a range of abilities to become involved in data analysis and informal inference while working in self-selected small group environments. Enables students to explore their own resources for asking questions. (DDR)

Faculty have a special responsibility to encourage student freedom of expression. This responsibility requires care in teaching and evaluation to ensure student freedom in discussion, inquiry, expression, and academic achievement. (Author)

Implemented a situated learning model of coteaching in the weekly field component of a secondary science methods course. Students cotaught by observing and assisting their teachers for one period, then taught the same lesson, supported by their teachers, the following period. This resulted in comfort in learning to teach, increased confidence in…

Focuses on how student problem solving skills can be improved by teaching them a problem solving model. Includes a technique for developing student inquiry thinking using the game, Twenty Questions, or by examining conflicting statements. Includes the article, "Using Problem Solving Skills in a Fifth-Grade Classroom" (Alan Rock and Nicole…