A rationale for exploratory learning via computers is presented, emphasizing the need for modeling normal communication development in children with communication handicaps, including deafness, cerebral palsy, and autism. (Author/CL)

A beech leaf, garnet crystals, trilobite fossils--brought by children aged three to twelve transform the science room. Investigates the importance of learning materials that children bring to the classroom at no expense. (Author/RK)

Provides some brief suggestions for teaching students about color, including an activity for use during outdoor field trips or in local parks. Questions for provoking student explorations of color mixing and the functions of color in nature are provided, which use the scientific method as a model for structuring student observations. (PB)

Describes a combinatorics problem involving pizza toppings. Includes three activity sheets. (Author/NB)

Discussion of computer simulations as a form of computer-assisted learning (CAL) focuses on a framework for domain representation for an Intelligent Simulation Learning Environment (ISLE). Topics discussed include knowledge related to computer simulations; formalization of domain knowledge; and the conceptual domain model. (19 references) (LRW)

Explores how transformational experiences can change the pathways of one's life and stimulate continual self-discovery, drawing on Arthur Foshay's experience of viewing Moses in a small Italian church. Convergence of personal theories with teaching's spiritual context can greatly influence teachers' curriculum and content choices. (Contains 12…

The student-directed explorations for learning various ligands and their impacts on the field of inorganic chemistry are discussed. Various themes can be adopted by the instructors, like ligand-of-the-week theme, while teaching inorganic chemistry to their students.

This study examined exploratory behaviors used by 12 infants who were congenitally blind and 12 infants who were sighted to note similarities and differences in exploration. By including both groups of infants and matching the infants by age and their mothers' education, direct comparisons could be made between the groups. No differences were…

Improvisation can be difficult to teach in any music classroom, but it can be particularly problematic in large ensembles like band, chorus, or orchestra. John Kratus proposes seven levels of improvisation, with exploration as the first step in the development of improvisation skills. Through experiences in making sounds, children begin to develop…

This article explains a two-part plan, created by the people at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), to help staff members keep up with the sea change of technology. A core competencies training program was developed. This keeps workers afloat by providing them with the technology skills they need to support the change…

This article will review educational literature relevant to the design and implementation of a learning technology interface (LTI) into an undergraduate music technology curriculum. It also explores through empirical enquiry some of the advantages and disadvantages of using learning technology. This case study adopted a social-constructivist…

This article examines how children's construction of relationships in exploring materials helps to explain the constructivist foundations of the Reggio Emilia approach. A quasi-naturalistic study of 12 preschool children, ages 3 and 4 years, individually exploring different kinds of collage papers reveals a range of constructivist categories…

This article aims at discussing how Dynamic Decision Network (DDN) can be employed to tackle the challenges in modeling temporally variable scientific inquiry skills and provision of adaptive pedagogical interventions in INQPRO, a scientific inquiry exploratory learning environment for learning O'level Physics. We begin with an overview of INQPRO…

This article addresses two important questions about the transition to independent research: (1) What facilitates or impedes graduate students' ability to make the transition, where "impede" is defined as leaving the program without completing the dissertation, making slow progress toward the degree, or completing an undistinguished dissertation…

Observation is a complex activity; that teachers of science should know how to make observation and how to apply it at all grade levels and finally how to monitor and evaluate their students as a guide. The aims of this experimental design study were to create observation methods and to develop student teachers' process skill of observation. The…