Describes a test designed to measure outcomes of "inquiry" social studies programs in elementary schools. Results indicate that inquiry students, or those whose teachers use inductive methods to encourage active participation in learning, perform better than noninquiry students on tasks requiring higher cognitive processes. (Author/KC)

Three examples are given illustrating the use of the calculator in problems where determining patterns and making conjectures are stressed. (MP)

A program to help children become aware of the biological interdependence of living things is being introduced into Swedish preschool programs. Program background and focus on discovery learning are discussed. For journal availability, see SO 505 539. (AV)

Traces influences on a university lecturer's choice of teaching method, drawing evidence from his private journal and the work journals of his students. Concludes that the theory-based use of experiential learning is hypocritical and may be promoting false theory. Proposes an alternative discovery approach in which students and lecturers are…

Supports the approach for young children that allows them to perform actions on objects and observe the reactions. Describes some techniques to use to encourage an inquiry approach. (DDR)

Describes a study that compares the performance of introductory physics students on two examination problems. One problem is qualitative and similar to those used in an inquiry approach. The second problem is a typical quantitative problem. Those students enrolled in the inquiry-based introductory course performed significantly better than those…

Discusses strategies to help primary students understand geometric concepts. Highlights best examples, concept cards, defining shapes, discovery lessons, and expository lessons. Presents action research ideas. (JRH)

Recommends phasing as an effective approach for training future science teachers in inquiry-based teaching. The phasing philosophy originated with middle school science teachers and is presented in four phases. (DDR)

Explores the results of a study that involved qualitative analysis of students' reactions to a long-term inquiry experience in a freshman biology course. (DDR)

Describes how raising monarch, black swallowtail, and mourning cloak butterflies in a kindergarten class garden can provide opportunities for observation experiences. Includes detailed steps for instruction and describes stages of growth. Excerpts children's journal dictations to illustrate ways to support the discovery process. Describes related…

It has been observed that children are able to learn to use computers and the Internet on their own, irrespective of their social, cultural or economic backgrounds (Mitra and Rana, 2001). This article describes subsequent experiments, conducted in five regions in India, results obtained, and possible conclusions. (AEF)

This article describes "Math Their Way" techniques for experiential learning of math concepts by deaf children. Finding, comparing, and creating patterns are emphasized at conceptual, connecting, and symbolic levels. Graphing, counting, and measuring exercises are described, as well as ways to steer free time and exploratory learning toward math…

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)