Discusses 12 basic, instructionally relevant learning principles concerned with students' differing needs and capacities, motivated and rewarded learning behaviors, teacher expectations, student learning preferences, and the value of challenging learning opportunities. One way to increase the amount of available teaching time is to teach by…

Relationships among the sides are developed for right triangles whose sides are in the ratios 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5. The golden ratio appears in the results which can be used in secondary mathematics. (DC)

Described is the generative learning strategy, an approach which encourages pupils to discuss their out-of-school ideas about plant breathing, drinking, wood production, soil, minerals, and leaves, and assist them in linking appropriate ideas together to form an explanation of the origin of plant materials. (CW)

Reviews the research regarding the use of laboratories in the teaching of science. Discusses the traditional process skills and adaptations of the learning cycle. Describes the four distinct characteristics of a Guided Inquiry Laboratory. Thirty-seven references are listed. (CW)

Describes a methodology for creating and using instructional activities enhanced by the use of problem-specific scenarios that include electronic templates for use in both large group and individual modes. Examples of templates used for instruction in planning, decision making, statistical concepts, and software evaluation are presented. (13…

Describes an activity in which students participate in an unsupervised three-hour adventure-based learning expedition in the urban core of Hamilton (Ontario). Explains objectives and parameters, and presents nine tasks to be performed. Discusses students' reactions to the urban community exploration in debriefing, including the activity's positive…

This activity is more concerned with illustrating the process of scientific discovery than with astronomy. Students are involved in observing the Moon and noting the simultaneous location of the Sun. A manual with observation log and diagrams is provided. Requires no special equipment and takes a discovery learning approach. (LZ)

Describes Iowa State's Exploration Program, a one-week course for gifted/talented youth, which includes videotapes, experiments, computer programing, debugging, and a final project. Provides objectives, material and equipment needs, and a student quiz. (SK)

Mathematical concepts occur spontaneously from many topics and can be developed in the framework of cross-curricular schoolwork. Consequently, students can gain knowledge of where mathematics arises and insight about its purposes. (Included are activities dealing with the reflectional and rotational symmetries of automobile hubcaps evolved from…

A middle school in River Falls, Wisconsin, exemplifies middle-level philosophy by providing individualized learning programs, a core curriculum, a guidance program, education for citizenship, and cocurricular activities. The school program emphasizes enhanced exploratory learning opportunities, team-teaching of core subjects, and a…

Describes a northern Ontario high school carpentry class that incorporated experiential and adventure elements into the curriculum. Discusses how class activities met students' aesthetic, social, and self-concept needs; stimulated exploration into other subject areas; developed decision-making skills and group cooperation; and created connections…

Describes the development of educational computer software called scenario software that was designed to incorporate advances in cognitive, affective, and physiological research. Instructional methods are outlined; the need to change from didactic methods to discovery learning is explained; and scenario software design features are discussed. (24…

Describes a lesson using magazine photographs to help students learn about cultural diversity. Cooperative learning and discovery learning techniques are utilized. A student observation sheet and culture picture map are included. (CFR)

Investigated strategies that 7- to 12-year-old children (n=96) spontaneously applied in solving novel combinatorial problems. With experience in solving two-dimensional problems, children were able to refine their strategies and adapt them to three dimensions. Results on some problems indicated significant effects of age. (Contains 32 references.)…

Describes an investigation in which students predict and verify the effect that the number of clicks of a toy copter gun has on the height that the copter will attain. Provides follow-up questions for the students. (MDH)