A project was undertaken to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a unit of instruction which would teach economically deprived first grade children some interesting scientific concepts and increase their curiosity behavior and willingness to offer hypotheses, carry out experiments, and evaluate outcomes. The instructional unit was based on…

The small size of college composition classes encourages exciting and meaningful interaction, especially when students are divided into smaller, autonomous groups for all or part of the hour. This booklet discusses the advantages of combining the inquiry method (sometimes called the discovery method) with a group approach and describes specific…

Some characteristics of inquiry training which make it applicable to geography instruction are described. The first section reviews various conceptual approaches and provides frameworks for the study of inquiry teaching. The second section presents two case studies which illustrate inquiry teaching approaches to a geographic study of world…

Presents the idea that self-questioning is an important resource for learning, and that creative drama should provide a unique support for "wondering" in the classroom because drama teachers model open-ended questioning and elicit the same from students. (JC)

Presents a method that enables students to assess political cartoons and record their findings in written form. Suggests guidelines for cartoon evaluation as well as questions which help organize interpretations. Includes three political cartoons and descriptions of how they might be used in the classroom. (GEA)

Computer-based education has the power to alter human thinking processes, and this change can be brought about by schools. Research is needed on methods to integrate the computer into classroom instruction. Computer based instruction can increase the student's participation in instructional systems design. (GDC)

A lesson that illustrates how student questioning can serve as the basis for a social studies unit is presented. It is appropriate for a junior or senior high school class studying political parties at the local, state, or national levels. (RM)

An inquiry approach to history can be realized through the use of microcomputers. In a project at the University of California at Santa Barbara, teams of high school teachers and scholars have developed a series of computer programs whose contents are problems in U.S. history. A sample problem is described. (RM)

Changes in demographics, disease patterns, disease management, and dental health care systems and changes in dental education in response to them are examined. Further adjustments needed in the basic science curriculum are discussed, with emphasis on developing students' skills in independent inquiry. (MSE)

The basic science curriculum in dental education could be improved by adopting a curriculum containing only two integrated required science courses about (1) the structure and function of the human body and (2) disease and reaction to disease in the human body. Elective graduate-level predoctoral courses would allow specialization. (MSE)

Describes the approach taken in an education computing course for pre- and in-service teachers. Outlines the basic operational, analytical, and evaluation skills that are emphasized in the course, suggesting that these skills go beyond the attainment of computer literacy and can assist in the effective use of computers. (ML)

Student Pugwash, an international group of students who discuss important issues of science and technology and to explore the role of the individual in dealing with those issues, taking an interdisciplinary approach to its inquiry and exchange, meets regularly in a central conference and on many campuses. (MSE)

Discussion of the role of the media specialist as a teacher summarizes 10 major elements of the inquiry approach to teaching and learning and seven areas of the school media center's commitment (networking, flexibility, cooperation, concentration, financing, community, and encouragement). Discovery learning research and program implementation are…

Preservice teachers' (N=22) knowledge level of pendulums was experimentally manipulated to examine effects the manipulation had on the extent of inquiry behaviors exhibited when teaching the topic to grade five children (N-54). Videotape recordings were used to examine how teachers used specific science knowledge to make decisions while teaching.…

Describes a classroom project for middle school students where developmental theory was translated into instruction promoting cognitive development. (MD)