Due to its abstract, theoretical nature, the mole concept has been recognized as one of the most difficult topics to teach and learn within the chemistry curriculum. The purpose of this study was to chronicle the development of high school students' conceptions of the mole following a period of instruction in a chemistry class. This investigation…

Constructivism suggests a way to restructure the learning environment to make the transfer of learning from school to work settings more effective. The theory rests on the notion that learners actively construct knowledge by integrating new information and experiences into what they have previously come to understand. Using a constructivist…

This encyclopedia provides scholarly information on all aspects of educational technology. It treats integrating educational technology as a problem-solving process. The book consists of 123 papers by numerous authors, divided into five sections. Section 1, "Educational Technology: Definition and Conceptual Background," introduces educational…

This theme issue reviews and confirms the connection between thinking skills and art education. Articles offer possible teaching approaches and specific lesson plans dealing with thinking skills. The issue includes: (1) "Editor's View" (Sharon McCoubrey); (2) "Critical and Creative Thinking and Making Art" (Carol Fineberg); (3)…

Researchers from BBN Laboratories and Lesley College (Massachusetts) have begun exploratory studies to build an understanding of the learning that occurs when middle school students interact with science-based simulations. Sixty hours of discussion among eight middle school students were videotaped as they used the simulations from the…

Recognition of the importance of (special) children's learning of mathematics in an active fashion has increased rapidly since the beginning of the 1980s. This book presents current ideas and trends in the teaching of mathematics and aims at giving an overview of new developments in the field of (special) mathematics and showing how researchers…

This unit focuses on the decades of the 1940s and 1950s by studying key events from the eras. Students analyze issues and think critically about decisions made during the time. Topics of the unit include: (1) "Japanese Relocation"; (2) "Rationing: Who Should Get What?"; (3) "War in the Pacific"; (4) "The Draft: Who Should Fight a War?"; (5)…

The domination of the information processing approach has shifted research from problem solving strategies to the structure and organization of knowledge that characterizes expertise. The purpose of this study was to compare the reasoning processes of 12 clinicians and 40 medical students as they responded to 6 positively stated multiple choice…

Action research is one of the more increasingly popular and innovative techniques for engaging teachers in shaping change in the classroom. The research in this monograph was conducted by teachers in classrooms in Florida and Georgia. Papers were selected from 65 action research papers written in fulfillment of one of the requirements of the…

This is a step-by-step guide to designing problem-based learning across the curriculum. Contents show teachers how to develop student-centered, problem-based curriculum, manage student projects across a range of subjects and disciplines, assess projects using portfolios, and involve community members as project mentors. Numerous examples are…

Based on material developed by the National Institute for Dispute Resolution (NIDR), this practical resource guide shows principals, district administrators, counselors, and teacher educators how to diagnose conflicts, handle difficult confrontations, and implement appropriate mediation and problem-solving strategies. Extensive examples and…

This collection of activities is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills. The activities are non-graded and can be used from upper elementary to high school. Reading levels vary from no reading required to very little reading required and can be used effectively with students who are poor readers, bilingual, or at a special…

This collection of activities is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills. The activities are non-graded and can be used from upper elementary to high school. The reading levels vary from no reading required to very little reading required and can be used effectively with students who are poor readers, bilingual, or at a special…

The African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child, seems increasingly fitting as problems and complexities of modern life impact the ability to provide healthy settings for the growth and development of children and youth. Psychology has a powerful contribution to make to the creation of "villages" which support and facilitate…

In Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environments (CSILE), students use a computer-database system as a tool to store and organize their curriculum-related knowledge as a means of sharing information and thoughts with peers, supporting both individual and collaborative learning. This study contrasts two conditions: face-to-face collaboration…