This case study examined the changes in a second grade teacher's beliefs about learning and teaching as she resolved the conflicts/dilemmas between her previous views and the emphasis of a project on children's construction of mathematical meanings. Video cameras were used to record each mathematics lesson from one school year. (SLD)

This study examined the relationship that exists between high school teachers' (n=25) understanding of the Piagetian developmental model of intelligence; its inherent teaching procedure, the learning cycle, and classroom teaching practices. The teachers who exhibited a sound understanding of the model were more likely to effectively implement the…

Clarifying the meaning of principal effectiveness as a point of departure in the development of an appraisal system in Connecticut is discussed, focusing on the reasons for an appraisal system, how effectiveness should be defined, where to find relevant information, and how best to organize such information. (SLD)

Presents guidelines that teachers and supervisors can use to make decisions about curriculum content and assessment in programs serving young children three through eight years of age. These decisions concern appropriate curriculum content and assessment; evaluation of curriculum and assessment practices; and the advocacy of appropriate…

Defines some of the minimal conditions for effective instruction in reasoning and rhetoric. Argues that instructors must take account of the learner, pay regard to the cultural embeddedness of knowledge and the means by which that knowledge is assessed and transmitted. (PRA)

Discusses the following themes that pervade individual articles in this volume: (1) critical reasoning; (2) inductive anthropology; (3) active learning; (4) discovery; (5) open versus closed anthropology; (6) reflexivity; (7) cross-cultural comparisons; (8) films; (9) holism; and (10) problems in the 1990s. Suggests that these themes will be at…

Describes a self-paced reading method of instruction used to teach the introduction to cultural anthropology course at Kansas State University. Assigned problems stimulate integration of ethnographic data with concepts. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of this approach based on student course evaluations. (JS)

Describes an honors introductory cultural anthropology course taught at California State University, Chico. Discusses the course design, how course information is made relevant and reinforced, and how students have partial responsibility for the course design. Discusses the use of science fiction books to make material relevant to students. (JS)

Describes a development project for the use of computer graphics and video in connection with an inservice training course for primary education teachers in Denmark. Topics addressed include research approaches to computers; computer graphics in learning processes; activities relating to computer graphics; the role of the teacher; and student…

Conceptual differences between two popular alternative assessment methods must be clearly differentiated. Portfolios reflect individual development, whereas performance-based assessments reflect curriculum mastery. In combination, these methods provide a complete picture of the student as a learner and constitute a rigorous alternative to…

Two studies compared children's knowledge about the letters in their name with knowledge of other letters. Findings indicated that Australian first graders and U.S. kindergartners and preschoolers had superior knowledge of letter-name, but not letter-sound, for first letter of their first name. Also, U.S. preschoolers were better at printing the…

Discusses children's concept development and exploratory talk in the primary years of early French immersion (K-3). Data from a case study of a primary program is related to personal teaching experience and research in language and learning and developmental psychology. Suggests possible approaches to enhancing concept development and exploratory…

Humans learn best through stories, define themselves via stories, think in story form, and express their understanding of universal truths through stories. Presents techniques for incorporating oral and written stories into outdoor and classroom curriculum to enhance meaning, promote change through consciousness raising, stimulate student…

Examines the relationship between children's artistic development and issues of learning. Categorizes undergraduate elementary education students' responses to an article on artistic development based on their own experiences. Summarizes the types of student reactions, and suggests implications for instructional practices. (DSK)

Describes characteristics of higher education students in the 21st century, focusing on the nontraditional aspects compared to the majority of today's students; discusses lifelong learning, distance learning, and learning processes; describes collaborative learning networks; and considers elementary and secondary education changes. (LRW)