An attempt is made in this working paper to synthesize the existing empirical evidence concerning the utility of simulation games in social studies teaching, training, and research. The data are drawn from several sources: published literature dealing with simulation games, descriptions of games in use, communications with people who use games,…

Because different educational goals are based on individual sets of values, research findings considered highly significant by one group of educators will seem irrelevant to others. Empirical studies of educational objectives are needed to investigate (1) the relationship between the way objectives are formulated and their quality, (2) the extent…

Reported is the everyday teaching and curriculum planning activities of the Madison Project, operated by teachers and mathematicians. Two kinds of informal explanatory experiences are provided in order to involve students in the discovery of significant mathematical concepts--experiences where children do something and experiences where a…

This unit emphasizes concept-learning through the discovery approach and child-centered activities. "Discovering Matter" is treated in the kindergarten, "Matter Around Us" in grade 1, "Changes in Matter" in grade 4 and "Atoms and Molecules" in grade 6. The unit for each grade contains (1) understandings to…

This document reports on a 3-day special study institute entitled "Simulation in the Preparation of Special Education Administrators." Involving 20 professors, the institute had a three-fold purpose: (1) to acquaint participants with the simulated experience technique; (2) to become familiar with a particular set of materials (the Special…

Considered are optimal conditions for learning in the child care center serving preschool children. Discussed as aspects of learning based on real life experiences are provision for a rich environment, opportunities for learning about the world and space, learning one's way around, and learning about measuring numbers, time, days and seasons,…

The project's objectives were to increase achievement in mathematics, alter behavior in mathematics classes, and alter attitudes toward small-group work through training in small-group dynamics. The subjects were 85 10th grade geometry students assigned to one of two class periods (morning or afternoon). Within each class period, the students were…

This study compares the relative effectiveness of a meaningful verbal approach and a guided discovery approach to learning selected science principles at the seventh and ninth grade levels. A total of 72 subjects were randomly selected from the seventh and ninth grades of Arnold Junior High School and Cleveland Senior High School and made up two…

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the relationships between individual difference variables and discovery vs. non-discovery instructional treatments in learning of an imaginary science. All subjects were able to learn the material, but presentation of examples and rules (non-discovery) led to more rapid learning. There was no…

A course in performing organization in which pupils develop increasing performance skills individually and in ensemble, with emphasis on stylistic characteristics of the music studied is presented. Course objectives include: (1) The student will determine the basic metric pattern of selected played examples; (2) The student will count and clap the…

Experiments with adapted apparatus which allow blind children to discover principles are described. Individualized experiences, specifically designed, are developed in four curricula and a sample lesson is presented. (EB)

Argues that the most important factor in the success of any teaching method is the teacher's ability to reward children for correct behavior rather than punish them for incorrect behavior. The application of behavior modification principles to language arts instruction and discovery learning is discussed. (CW)

Presents guidelines for social studies teachers and a sample writing assignment to encourage student's developmental writing. Suggests that students emphasize the significance of the writer's ideas and information rather than the information itself. Establishes the relationship between thinking processes and writing and the need to break these…

The exploration mode of content presentation is discussed. (MP)

Discusses the goals of science teaching in general. States the results of certain research reports with respect to the effectiveness of some newly developed instructional programs. Contends that the teacher's behavior, and the classroom experiences provided are ultimately responsible for the success of the program. (GA)