Notes the author was unprepared for the generativeness of a curriculum driven by students' interests and curiosity. Describes the implications for the "Explorers Club," an activity in which her second-language-learning third and fourth graders generate lots of questions, pick the 6 best, and research answers to those questions at the library. (SG)

Three teachers in an inquiry group reflect on what it takes to be an excellent, persistent urban teacher. Analysis of the data generated from this inquiry included such themes as teaching as intellectual work and teaching as democratic practice. Highlights problems confronting urban schools, among which are teacher retention; teacher diversity and…

Argues that the conflicts and contradictions of community outreach (such as service learning) call for an intercultural inquiry that not only seeks more diverse rival readings, but constructs multivoiced negotiated meanings in practice. Presents a case study in which students use the practice of intercultural inquiry to go beyond a contact zone…

Explains the changing nature of earth and space science education such as using inquiry-based teaching, how technology allows students to use satellite images in inquiry-based investigations, the consideration of earth and space as a whole system rather than a sequence of topics, and increased student participation in learning opportunities. (YDS)

Describes the Graduate K-12 Project, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and provides fellowship to graduate and highly qualified undergraduate students in the areas of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology to serve in K-12 schools with teachers. Aims to improve communication and teaching skills of fellows,…

Describes strategies for facilitating student science investigations and alleviating common weaknesses associated with student performance. Includes checklist criteria for performance on investigative tasks and an example of an assessment rubric for the investigation of the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. (Author/KHR)

Describes the Cornell University Garden Mosaics program in which youth learn about ethnic gardening practices in urban community gardens using research methods adapted from the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Conducts a study to determine whether youth could effectively facilitate PRA activities with gardeners and to document any social and…

Shifting from an overly technical, simplistic view of teaching in the 1980s, supervision and staff development experts are gradually recognizing that teaching is a complex, situation-specific, and dilemma-ridden endeavor. Researchers are now exploring three elements of reflection (cognition, critical thinking, and narrative inquiry) undertaken by…

Criticizes an earlier essay that questioned the validity of contemporary educational research practices, especially those involving experimentation. Argues that research using experimentation is valid and can lead to new and generalizable knowledge. (FMW)

This article describes the concepts used by one teacher preparation program to delineate reflective skills and examines the degree of implementation of a reflective oriented student teaching program. Participants in the study included student teachers (n=110), cooperating teachers (n=94), and university supervisors (n=7). (IAH)

Traditional social taboos against questioning established structures of social rule have subverted schools' responsibility to cultivate the reasoned debate which is essential to our intelligent survival in a world and future which need rethinking. (CB)

Argues that writing instruction is most effective when instruction focuses on inquiry which includes: utilizing concrete data, solving problems by using thinking strategies inherent in various writing tasks, focusing on student-centered problems, and encouraging student interaction with a minimum of teacher lecture. (JAD)

A review of teacher mentoring literature and several mentor-teacher programs makes a case for supporting the promotion of systematic inquiry into and critical reflection on practice among both experienced and beginning teachers. (CB)

An important part of the instructional design process involves interviewing subject matter experts (SMEs). Discussion includes three elements of developing a successful working relationship with SMEs: (1) establish rapport; (2) use behavior conducive to gathering information; and (3) conclude the interview on a positive note. (AEF)

Contrasts "strong" and "weak" conceptions of model and suggests that adult education is not a unified scholarly enterprise but a collection of divergent research traditions, such as participation, adult learning, and participatory research. Concludes that adult educators should appreciate scholarly conflicts and flesh out the sociohistorical…