Explores the utility of mental models as learning outcomes in using complex and situated learning environments. Describes two studies: one aimed at eliciting mental models in the heads of novice refrigeration technicians, and the other an ethnographic study eliciting knowledge and models within the community of experienced refrigeration…

Surveyed school nurses to determine their attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs about asthma. Results indicated they had appropriate knowledge levels regarding asthma. Most asthma myths had been replaced with knowledge. Nurses had varied responsibilities that affected their ability to provide health education and support to students with asthma.…

Using an excerpt from one of Plato's early dialogs, this article examines the distinction between knowledge and opinion. It urges teachers to invite gifted students to reflect on this distinction to make the students more receptive to all levels and types of experiences and to maximize their knowledge in as many subjects as possible. (CR)

Researched PhD graduates who completed doctoral study during a period of change in the United Kingdom and confusion around the role and purpose of the doctorate. Based on qualitative interviews, the paper raises issues about the value and outcomes of doctoral study, student self-perception, and the capacity of the modern doctorate to yield both…

Discusses key issues of late modern society that help make a case for critical awareness of discourse: the relationship between discourse, knowledge, and social change in the information or knowledge-based society; the "textually-mediated" nature of contemporary social life; the relationship between discourse and social difference; the…

Investigated the nature and origins of early ideas about the environment held by children. Found that data explain aspects of the knowledge children have about various environments before they enter school, the development of this knowledge from ages 4 to 6, and young children's developing understanding of the impacts of environmental changes.…

A case is made that the term "science" in reference to special education is misused, and that the methods of empiricist science are inappropriately applied to the study of special education. Article concludes that many of the criticisms leveled at special education can be traced back to this misunderstanding of science. (Author/CR)

A survey of 33 male and 5 female prisoners examined their knowledge of AIDS and HIV transmission modes, current sexual behavior and safe sex practices, and sources of AIDS information and degree of trust in these sources. Discusses implications for social work practices and development of AIDS education for prisoners. (SV)

Investigated whether case analysis would be an anchor for subsequent construction of formal and practical knowledge. In two studies, pairs of preservice teachers analyzed a case before and after units of instruction. Case analysis was effective in integrating participants' formal and practical knowledge. They identified more concepts and analyzed…

Considers the narrative function of children's play by focusing on story, imagination, and visual expression. Argues that children's storytelling brings into account their knowledge of the world and of narrative conventions. Suggests that context shapes and constrains the stories told. Concludes that storytelling can enhance literacy and should be…

Investigated whether fourth-graders' gestures convey knowledge self-recognizable in another context. Identified math problem-solving procedures conveyed gesturally and examined whether the procedures could be accessed by the same child on a task not involving gesture. Children rated higher those solutions derived from procedures they conveyed…

Stresses the difference between technological and technical knowledge, starting with the distinction of natural science, engineering science (technology) and engineering practice (technics). Discusses the relationship between science and technology. The classification of knowledge types is used for determining which kind of knowledge may seem…

This study evaluated the effects of three instructional methods (direct experience, cartographic representation (tactile map), and verbal description) on the spatial knowledge of 30 adults with blindness. Results indicated that participants' practical spatial knowledge was better when they learned with a tactile map than in either of the other…

Looks for appropriate interaction analysis/content analysis techniques that assist in examining the negotiation of meaning and coconstruction of knowledge in collaborative learning environments facilitated by computer conferencing. Reviews strengths and shortcomings of existing interaction analysis techniques and proposes a new model based on…

Investigates the role of stimulus repetition during on line aural identification of harmonic sequences by 72 adult beginners. Demonstrates that the first presentation is a powerful image influencing subsequent identifications. Clarifies the role of repetition and provides an explanation of the incidence of repetition in omitted and incorrect…