Three learning activities--story generation, reasoning from historical information, and computer modeling--that are designed to help students move toward a more coherent understanding of biological mechanisms are described. A method used to measure a student's level of understanding and their progress during instruction is also described. Ways to…

Using National Longitudinal Study of Youth and school enrollment data, this study examines effects of early childbearing and mothers' school progress on cognitive test scores of young children (626 Whites, 376 African Americans, and 240 Hispanic Americans). Cognitive achievement of mothers was a good predictor of children's cognitive achievement.…

Studied the impact of life experience on women's cognitive and ethical development. Considered the structure and historical and social factors of such development, and the importance of higher education in attaining high positions on W.G. Perry's developmental scale. Factors found to affect women's positions on the scale were attitudes toward…

Presented is a review of the research on the benefits of using writing to evaluate students' understanding of mathematics. Results indicate that student writing provides a rich resource for assessing student understanding, can have a direct influence in teachers' instructional practices, and can positively influence student-teacher interaction…

Presents computer approach formulated within a framework of versatile thinking designed to overcome obstacles to understanding algebra. Results from related studies comparing the computer and traditional approaches taught to 11, 12, and 13 year olds showed that the computer approach significantly improved the understanding of higher order concepts…

This study compared the effectiveness of teaching multidigit addition of whole numbers without regrouping prior to teaching it with regrouping to teaching multidigit addition with and without regrouping simultaneously. Pretest/posttest-delayed posttest results of second grade students (n=151) from seven randomly assigned classrooms indicated no…

Reviews the following books: "Child Care in Context" (Lamb et al., Eds.); "Making Friends in School: Promoting Relationships in Early Childhood" (Ramsay); "The Epigenesis of Mind: Essays on Biology and Cognition" (Carey and Gelman, Eds.); "Moral Maturity: Measuring the Development of Sociomoral Reflection"…

Reviews the radical constructivism movement in mathematics education. Benefits identified include learner ownership of mathematical learning; importance of social interaction; and identification of principles for improving mathematics teaching and learning. Weaknesses identified include overzealousness of some radical constructivists; downplaying…

This case study of 72 homeless families and their 78 children in day care at a large welfare hotel in New York City evaluates the children's health status, separation and attachment, sleep patterns, eating patterns, emotional status, attention span, gross motor development, speech and language development, and cognitive development. (JDD)

Assessed first and third graders' and undergraduates' knowledge of strategies appropriate to comprehension and memory. Also assessed their knowledge of task variables affecting comprehension and memorization tasks. Only undergraduates showed understanding of comprehension-memory distinction. Third graders showed some understanding of differential…

Discusses an introductory mathematics course for six year olds which incorporates visual reflection of essential links and relationships, broad and flexible approaches, student actions, and meaningful cooperation of students. The four topics covered are determination of attributes, symbolic representation of relations and transformations, the…

This study examined the cognitive development of students enrolled in three levels of freshman chemistry courses and focused on changes in spatial ability over time. Results indicate that performance on general Piagetian-type tasks, including spatial visualization, can be refined through educational intervention. Concludes that students appear…

Discusses trade-offs and ramifications of technology use in schools. Cutbacks in proven staples of mental development (arts, music, drama, and physical education) are used to finance technology programs. Youngsters often use educational software for mindless fun. Few advocates consider how extended computer usage affects children's developing…

Through the longitudinal study of families over two decades in Chiapas, Mexico, this chapter relates historical changes on the macro level to changes in human development and socialization on the micro level. (Author)

Examined effects of early parental employment on children, using data from National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Found that more work hours were associated with slightly lower cognitive development through age 9 and lower academic achievement before age 7, but not with behavior problems, compliance, or self-esteem. Early parental employment was…