Describes how discrepant events in science can be used to stimulate and motivate the use of thinking skills in learning scientific concepts. (ZWH)

Describes a method for developing a paper-and-pencil test to evaluate students' understanding of the mole concept in chemistry. (ZWH)

Myths about adult learning are (1) adult learning is essentially joyful; (2) adults are innately self-directed learners; (3) good teachers meet the felt needs of learners; (4) there is a uniquely adult learning style; and (5) there is a uniquely adult teaching style. (SK)

Criticizes outcome-based education for reducing education, teaching, and learning to forms of human engineering and quasi-scientific planning procedures geared toward instrumental means and specified ends. Stating outcomes as a comprehensive form of intellectual scaffolding limits inquiry and speculation and gives schools and curriculum framers…

When dealing with a real dispute based on conflicting goals rather than a misunderstanding, it is better to avoid multiple rounds of "clarifying communication." A better approach is to solicit the opposite party's concerns and critiques, thereby eliciting a sequence of constructive responses until agreement has been reached. Examples are provided.…

For years, reports on schooling crises have emanated from blue-ribbon panels filled with academicians, school board members, business executives, and other outside experts. A recent four-school study involving students, teachers, administrators, and classified staff identified seven major schooling problems: human relationships; race, culture,…

It is commonly stated that almost half of all adolescents are at risk of school failure, substance abuse, delinquency, and teenage pregnancy. Recent research shows that today's American teenagers are healthier, happier, better educated, and more responsible than past teens. Ignoring these facts scatters valuable resources and dilutes efforts to…

Debunks various myths and misperceptions concerning developmentally appropriate practices. Developmental appropriateness is a philosophy, not a curriculum. Despite using alternative learning strategies such as guided play, teachers are in control, facilitate real academic learning, and build on what they already know. DAP is universal and can…

Provides an activity where Ohm's Law deviates from linearity. Compares the current as a function of voltage for carbon resistors, a tungsten filament, and a light-emitting diode (LED). (MVL)

Discusses 10 myths of science including science finds answers to questions, science states causes, sample size is irrelevant to science, evidence can definitively confirm a hypothesis, scientists are always open to new ideas, peer acceptance of results is unimportant, science operates independently of society, science precedes technology, and…

Reading instruction can be transformed into cynical test-beating exercises. Victory arises from frequent practice in taking similar tests. Students who spend most of their time on test-type activities generally do better on reading tests than those who "waste" time reading for information or pleasure. Teachers whose students score highest on…

Discusses students' preconceptions of randomness and offers an alternative way to think about the concept using the idea of complexity. That is, the randomness of a sequence can be measured by the difficulty of encoding it. Methods of judging complexity and implications for teaching are discussed. (Contains 30 references.) (MKR)

Criticizes the William Bennett/Emily Feistritzer "Report Card on American Education 1993" for misrepresenting the "crisis" condition of U.S. education. State rankings of SAT scores flatten data and exaggerate differences. Bennett also ignores influence of limited English proficiency, poverty, and percentage of test-takers on…

Presents the results of a survey on evolution given to 392 university students in western Pennsylvania. Concludes that, although nearly three-quarters of the students say they believe in the theory of evolution, most do not understand the mechanism behind it. (PR)

Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz was completed by 245 respondents (28%) from developmental disabilities (DD), aging, and other social service agencies in Washington. Overall, respondents got 64% correct; DD personnel scored lower than others. Most often missed items related to psychological aspects of aging, demographic trends, and socioeconomic…