Calling computers tools or "add-ons" overlooks their expanding capabilities and interactive possibilities. School computer systems should be viewed as structured learning environments with complex, comprehensive capabilities to access and manipulate information. Computer environments can support changes in educational structures,…

Questions the existence of attention deficit disorder (ADD), a commonly diagnosed "disease" based on behavioral characteristics. There may be no medical or physiological basis for ADD. The National Association of School Psychologists deplores labeling children and creating categories of exclusion. Instead, educators should respond to individual…

Assesses the understanding that a sample of Oregon public school students (n=159) had of geology, physical and chemical characteristics, ecology, and natural resources as related to a marine environment. Results indicate that student understanding in some areas does not progress beyond the early grades and that the interdisciplinary approach of…

Teachers and longitudinal researchers have observed that the long-term benefits of participating in a quality early childhood program are more social than academic. Early childhood is a unique stage of life, not an opportunity for intervention and remediation. Kindergarten and first-grade environments should be flexible, activity-oriented, and…

Describes a lab involving a cloud formation activity that uses the constructivist learning model to get students more involved in creating the lab. Enables students to develop a greater understanding of the concepts involved and more interest in the lab's outcomes. (JRH)

Investigates claims of superior white intelligence from an emerging race relations perspective that describes the symbolic labor used to construct a psychological and cultural self that legitimizes white privilege. Representations of the white self and other notions are critiqued, such as the construction of equality as the prerogative of whites…

Describes the development, use, and evaluation of the "Osmosis Program" as a teaching tool to elicit and challenge college students' understanding about diffusion and osmosis. Results showed students using the program performed better on a diffusion and osmosis assessment test than students not using the program. (Author/MKR)

Investigates reasoning strategies students use in solving stoichiometric problems and explores the relation between these strategies and alternative conceptions, prior knowledge, and cognitive variables. Results show how stoichiometric relations produce conflicting situations for students leading to conceptual misunderstanding of certain concepts.…

Frank Coffield's essay praising England's Learning and Skills Council in a previous "JEP" issue misinterprets the new lifelong-learning legislation, which specifically excludes higher education and administers all nonhigher education learning within the new "umbrella" organization--an unenlightened policy direction. (MLH)

Promotes honest debate focused upon clearer and more accurate writing. Errors commonly found in texts originate in part by overhasty publication and oversimplification. (SAH)

Describes a laboratory activity investigating important concepts in microbiology and ecology in which students design and carry out their own experiments and learn about microorganisms. Points out that all microorganisms are not dangerous and studies the relationship between Methylobacterium and plants. (YDS)

Students have problems successfully arranging an electric circuit to make the bulb produce light. Investigates the percentage of students able to complete a circuit with a given apparatus, and the effects of prior experience on student success. Recommends hands-on activities at the elementary and secondary school levels. (Contains 14 references.)…

Focuses on how students' epistemological beliefs are related to conceptual change learning in science. Addresses: taking students' epistemological beliefs into account; findings of secondary school students' epistemological beliefs about science; and instructional strategies to promote students' mature epistemological beliefs. Focuses specifically…

Examines site-based management's effects on schools, using a Canadian framework and drawing on research from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. As branches carrying the "corporate line," schools still lack local decision-making flexibility. Principals' workload is more demanding, and student learning outcomes have not…

Debunks the "myth of the first three years"--notions about synaptic density changes, critical periods, and "enriched" or complex environments in early brain development. Neuroscientists say synaptic densities vary over the life span. There is no linear connection between number of synapses in the brain and brainpower or intelligence. (Contains 44…