Described are the results of research in chemical education carried out at the University of California, Berkeley. Individualized instructional materials to teach major concepts of stoichiometry to unprepared students were developed and validated. (BT)

Ratcliff's theory of memory retrieval which posits parallel processing and Sternberg's serial processing explanation of memory scanning are reviewed and contrasted. Discrepancy between the two theories may arise because they focus on different aspects of the data. If scanning without comparisons takes place, the two views may be reconciled.…

The material presented in this article is intended to help students learn how to learn. The seven key concepts of David Ausubel's assimilation theory for cognitive learning are discussed with reference to the classroom. Concept mapping is suggested as a tool for demonstrating how the seven key concepts function. (SA)

Discusses the applications of Piaget's theory of cognitive development to elementary and junior high school science teaching. Topics include planning concrete experiences, inductive and hypothetical deductive reasoning, measurement concepts, combinatorial logic, scientific experimentation and reflexive thinking. (SA)

Examines the relationship between learning and development in the most general terms, discusses the developmental distinction between concrete and formal operational thought as manifested in adult behavior, and considers the implications of the concrete-formal dichotomy for the design and use of job aids. Notes and a bibliography are provided.…

This article reviews recent investigations into intentionality (use of motive information) in young children's moral judgments. Intentionality has been shown to vary as a function of the vignette used to measure it. The educational implications of Piagetian theory and cognitive social learning theory for moral development are discussed.…

The author, writing from the first-person viewpoint of a child, relates what he hopes for from school in terms of learning, respect, climate, and understanding. (KC)

Investigated were the problems of whether a sex difference in spatial visualization ability exists among early adolescent students (ages 11-13), and whether the spatial visualization ability of these boys (N=32) and girls (N=27) is differentially affected by instruction. (HM)

Teaching must arrange environments so learners can make maximum use of these educational environments. Effective educational systems must begin with teacher training. Instructors must show mastery in the areas of subject matter, techniques of delivery and getting to know the learner. Better educational systems and testing techniques are needed.…

Distinguishes educational constructivism, which has its origins in the theories of children's learning, from constructivism in the philosophy of science and from constructivism in the sociology of science. Notes the evolution of educational constructivism and identifies some theoretical problems concerning constructivist teaching of science…

Provides evidence that demonstrates the inadequacy of Piagetian constructivist theory in explaining the complexities of children's early learning. Outlines an alternative nativist theory of cognition and discusses the implications for science education. Contains 60 references. (DDR)

Provides references that relate mostly to educational constructivism and to articles that address epistemological and philosophical matters in science education. Topics include children's learning, cognitive development, curriculum development, classroom practices, and teacher education. Contains 109 references. (DDR)

Describes a study designed to provide insight into the strengths and limitations of using groupwork to promote excellence and equity in science education. Argues that students need more guidance in how to talk and do science. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

In a year-long, school-based teacher education project, primary school teachers were given workshop- and classroom-based support, including sustained mentoring, as they appropriated a generative heuristic for teaching technology and science. Dialogs show how a mentor supported one teacher as she aligned her former instructionist teaching methods…

The value of James Gee's (1994) analysis of first-language acquisition as a guide for theories of learning and pedagogy is that it initiates a serious discussion of learning based upon the most effectively studied developmental mastery--language. This commentary argues that this approach underestimates the roles of diverse symbol systems and…