This study uses a comparative case study of two high school teachers' units about the U.S. civil rights movement to explore the construct of subject-specific pedagogy. The research examines each teacher's views of subject matter and learners as a means of understanding and explaining instructional practices. Through that investigation, a number of…

This paper describes the characteristics of microworlds and discusses the basis of their use as educational tools. The power of a microworld as a learning tool is based in the philosophy of constructivism, the Piagetian principle of equilibrium, mental models, and intrinsic motivation. Research results of educational microworld studies appear to…

The papers in this volume outline a vision for teacher education based on the concept of contextual teaching, defined as teaching that enables learning in a variety of in- and out-of-school contexts to solve simulated or real-world problems. They are based on the realization that the construction of knowledge is situated within, and greatly…

The idea that changes in school organization can improve teaching and enhance learning has heavily influenced educational reform over the past decade. With a goal of enabling teachers to promote students' construction of knowledge--so-called "constructivist" teaching--school restructuring has tended to focus on changing: (1) how schools group…

Growing numbers of teachers are turning to cooperative learning methods for literacy instruction, yet recent studies suggest that teachers hold theories of cooperative learning which are unrelated, or even antithetical, to helping students learn to become strategic, independent readers. This paper reports on a study that examined seven teachers'…

The purpose of this case study was to analyze the characteristics of an online learning community from the perspectives of 18 adult learners all of whom completed an online master?s degree program in instructional design and technology. This program was taught at a distance using the Blackboard.com e-learning system. Several program…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects self-assessment on kindergarten students learning of high frequency words. The sample consisted of 30 randomly selected kindergarten students. The students were then randomly assigned to a control group or experimental group. The experimental group used self-assessment method to learn high…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to obtain a better understanding of the obstacles and possible solutions for improving science education in Southern Mexico. It provides information about the challenges faced by teachers and school administrators, and possible alternatives for improving the quality of teaching after ten years of a…

This study aims to report the effort on teaching vector algebra using free open source software (FOSS). Recent studies showed that students have difficulties in learning basic physics concepts. Constructivist learning theories suggest the use of visual and hands-on activities in learning. We will report on the software used for this purpose. The…

This paper presents the background procedure and outcomes of a study of two Year 1 classrooms, one in Seattle, Washington, and the other in Sydney, Australia, that engaged in the constructivist learning experiences of a social studies unit, "Families in Their Neighborhoods" (McGuire, 1997). The unit employed the "Storypath" planning and teaching…

This book is designed to be an intervention model based on the concepts of Piaget's study of constructivism. The application of this approach will help children with learning/ behavioral disorders actively participate in a fuller integration of their own psychomotor, affective, and cognitive information processing skills and adaptation. The work…

The object of this paper is to present and analyze some observations of the language children in 1st grade (6-7 years old) use when they talk about geometrical objects. The observations are made during a number of encounters with the pupils during one year. The work is part of an ongoing collaboration project between a university college and a…

In most Australian schools, there are significant numbers of students who are failing to learn effectively. They underachieve in all or some of the basic skill areas of the curriculum. Concerns regarding the most appropriate methods with which to address the needs of these students remain widespread amongst teachers. This publication examines the…

This study examined the relationship between a constructivist/hands-on elementary methods course in science and preservice teachers' dispositions toward science content and teaching. The study investigated how an active learning and teaching style in science methods courses would affect preservice teacher self-efficacy and attitude. Data came from…

This book offers suggestions for transforming the specific courses in the counselor education curriculum. Each chapter includes an introduction--using anecdotes or student quotes; an overview of the impact of constructivism on the course content; an outline of the course structure, assignments, and activities, with the accompanying constructivist…