Rooted in behavioral theory, particularly the radical or selectivist behaviorism of B.F. Skinner (1953, 1954, 1966, 1968, 1974), the direct instruction (DI) approach to teaching is now well into its third decade of influencing curriculum, instruction, and research. It is also in its third decade of controversy. Our purpose is to present the DI…

Utilizing an integration of social-cognitivist and socio-cultural approaches, this study--comparing the interactive processes among peers and their mentor in two contrasting groups--was designed to explore the reasons why two learning groups, engaged in an inquiry-based learning project with comparatively sustained discussion, produced vastly…

Meaningful discussion that facilitates reflective thinking can be initiated when learners raise thoughtful questions or provide critical feedback; however, generating effective questions requires a certain level of domain knowledge and meta-cognitive skills of the question-askers. We propose a peer-questioning scaffolding framework intended to…

Teaching in community college classrooms is characterized by increasing levels of diversity. Mobilizing diversity as a resource for learning can include specific instructional methods grounded in constructivist educational theory and border pedagogy. Their utility in pursuit of education fosters a form of cultural production enabling people to…

In postgraduate study, students including L2 students are often required to write a thesis and, as a growing literature reveals, L2 students often experience difficulties in the writing of this genre. While most of this research has involved surveys (questionnaires and interviews) and case studies of supervisor perceptions, only a few studies have…

This paper presents a new constructivist model of knowledge development in a case study that illustrates how a group of postgraduate students defined and evaluated effective postgraduate supervision. This new model is based on "personal construct theory" and "repertory grid technology" which is combined with interviews and group discussion. It is…

Facilitation by a moderator is crucial to a purposeful and productive conference. The moderator keeps the session focused, and ensures that all participants receive feedback regarding their contributions to the discussion. These functions are particularly important in the otherwise impersonal context of online discussion. The current report…

Analysis of interview and classroom observation data collected through four institutional case studies reveals some consistent findings regarding how writing assignments and class discussions can be made conducive to critical thinking development. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

I discuss an instructional model that I have used in my number theory classes. Facets of the model include using small group work and whole class discussion, having students generate examples and counterexamples, and giving students the opportunity to write proofs and make conjectures in class. The model is designed to actively engage students in…

This article presents playful activities for fostering students' conceptual understanding of angle--a root concept in mathematics--that revolve around the Mathematical Merry-Go-Round game. The authors focus on activities for two reasons. On one hand, NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000) stresses the central role of student…

In preparing to teach speed to a Y10 intermediate class in a multicultural secondary modern, the author was aware of the difficulty in getting students not only to follow a complex logical argument, but also to be able to reproduce it in a variety of different problem situations. Normally one would set out the working out of the problem as a…

In this article, the authors present a new interdisciplinary methods called "Story and Healing." These methods enable teachers to enter a discussion of the ills of white privilege and the epidemic of racism through the "back door" approach. First, students are asked to contemplate transpersonal experiences such as healing and suffering, second,…

Regardless of the content specialty--from accounting to information systems to finance--employers view effective communication as critical to an individual's success in today's competitive workplace. Most business degree programs require a business communication course to help students develop communication skills needed both in getting a job and…

Behaviors developed in adolescence influence health later in life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of health care provider's discussion of health behaviors with overweight and non-overweight adolescents and identify demographic and health behaviors related to exercise, hours of television viewing, and weight issues…

This article presents an online roundtable discussion participated by E. S. Balabanova, A. O. Grudzinskii, S. M. Guriev, A. P. Zaostrovtsev, Z. V. Kotel'nikova, M. G. Kolosnitsyna, A. E. Krukhmalev, O. V. Lylova, I. B. Nazarova, V. M. Nilov, A. A. Ovsiannikov, L. E. Petrova, N. E. Pokrovskii, E. G. Pugacheva, O. N. Rimskaia. The participants…