Nursing students (n=45) using problem-based learning (PBL) strongly felt increased tension both in making the transition to PBL from traditional forms of education and in the conflict between students' desire for knowledge acquisition and the less concrete outcomes of PBL. (SK)

Discusses teachers' assessments of special educational needs in light of the massive changes introduced in the United Kingdom during the last decade. It describes teachers' understanding of the nature and purpose of assessment and examines how judgments about children's learning needs are made. (DB)

Highlights potential changes in information production, use and exchange that will occur as the 21st century approaches. Focuses on knowledge management and knowledge-based organizations. Contends that we are moving from an Age of Information into the Age of the Mind, which will be characterized by new ways of interacting with information and…

Examined the relationship between prematriculation understanding of college and the unrealized expectations of freshman students (n=201). Although levels of college knowledge predicted degree of disillusion for community college students, a similar relationship was not found for students attending public or private four-year institutions. (DB)

Surveyed entering optometry students (n=404) and again during their fourth year (n=314) for knowledge about and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. Analysis indicated significant improvement from pre- to post-test for general HIV/AIDS knowledge and optometric-specific HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes. For universal precautions implementation, no change in…

The impact of a training program to help staff prevent and effectively manage aggressive behavior was assessed with 109 staff members who worked in services for persons with developmental disabilities. Instruction in distraction, defusion, and nonaggressive physical intervention strategies was provided. The training significantly improved…

Examined 5- to 12-year-olds' emerging understanding of the origins of species in two studies. Demonstrated systematic developmental pattern in children's explanations for biological origins. Found age-related shifts from mixed creationist and spontaneous generationist explanations, to exclusive creationism, and finally to evolutionist or…

Investigates whether undergraduate psychology students will give optimistic estimates of their life expectancy if they receive either no information or correct information about the average life expectancy. Reveals that both men and women in each of the two conditions estimated their life span at approximately their actuarial age. (CMK)

Outlines problems students have with understanding the abstract concept of chemical bonding as revealed in previous research. Describes the development of a two-tier multiple-choice diagnostic instrument for assessing alternative conceptions about chemical bonding held by 14-16 year olds. Discusses the instrument and its findings for a group of…

Discusses the tendency of universities to focus on the disciplinarity of the humanities as opposed to promoting interdisciplinary connections within the field. Argues for interdisciplinarity instead in order to reinvigorate university humanities programs and provide students with the knowledge they need. Warns against improperly practicing an…

A correctional educator reflects on methods that improve instructional effectiveness. These include teacher-student collaboration, clear goals, student accountability, positive classroom atmosphere, high expectations, and mutual respect. (SK)

It is argued that, although thousands of evaluations have been conducted of social interventions, little has been done to cumulate those results to guide intervention architects. Building social intervention theory and meta analyses are suggested as ways to unify this knowledge and make it useful. (SLD)

Examined phonological short-term memory and new word learning in 5-year olds. Found that learning sound structures of new words was significantly, and to some degree independently, associated with aspects of phonological memory skill and vocabulary knowledge. Learning of familiar word pairs was linked with current vocabulary knowledge, not with…

Evaluated the effectiveness of a computerized interactive athletic training educational curriculum (IATEC) compared to traditional lecture. Undergraduate students with no formalized instruction in athletic training participated in traditional lecture, IATEC, or control groups. Following their education, students completed examinations. Although…

Argues that developmentally appropriate knowledge-in-use may be academically rigorous even when it does not mimic the more adult-like academic disciplines. Considers the creation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and ways to measure the academic rigor of learning outcomes without relying upon achievement tests grounded in academic…