This paper discusses the central thesis that new research on estimation and mental computation will benefit from more focused attention on the situations in which they are used. In the first section of the paper, a brief discussion of cognitive theory, with special attention to the emerging notion of situated cognition is presented. Three sources…

Several recent experiences suggest that Hungarian students are among the best prepared mathematically in international comparisons of achievement. This paper outlines the cultural background of mathematics learning in Hungary that influences that international standing. Achievement factors in the whole cultural context include: the role of…

Testing and instruction are sometimes seen as unrelated elements in the educational process, rather than as integrated components. This paper, organized in three sections, views testing and instruction as complements in the educational process, taking into account both testing and instruction in schools and classrooms with diverse student…

Electronic troubleshooting expertise was explored in the three contexts (design, production, and repair) that reflect distinct problem solving task environments. The purpose of the effort was to provide a more precise definition of the boundaries of expertise in electronics troubleshooting and the relationship of context to the development of…

LogoLearning represents a philosophy and a strategy that centers on enabling students to find meaningfulness in their education. In LogoLearning it is the major task of the teacher to broaden students' perceptions so that meaning becomes visible and the purpose of learning becomes immediately understandable. This book proposes that without…

Two studies (from 1989 and 1990) are reviewed to illustrate the effectiveness and versatility of "ethnographies of thought" (as described by C. Geertz, 1983) for gaining significant understanding of the meaning perspectives of research participants and the contexts of a variety of educational settings. The methodological implications of the two…

Introduction: Women are active information seekers, particularly in the context of managing health for themselves and their families. Rural living may present particular challenges and opportunities for women in their health information seeking. Method: Forty women living in a rural part of Ontario, Canada were interviewed using a semi-structured…

This study was designed to provide a detailed description of toddlers' social interactions in day care settings and to identify variables that promote positive encounters among children. Twenty-four toddlers, ranging in age from 17 to 28 months, were each observed for approximately 4 hours during regular center activities. Across all center…

This article outlines the development and trial of peer assessment procedures for implementation within a music performance context in the Australian tertiary environment. An overview of the literature on peer assessment is presented, followed by reference to specific trials of peer assessment within a tertiary music student context. The paper…

The expressed individual and cultural values of two groups of urban, lower socioeconomic status black American women are contrasted, using a situational forced-choice Expressed Values scale developed especially for this purpose. Group 1 (n=67) at the time of the study was enrolled in a high school equivalency degree program at a junior college.…

Stewardship of place is an idea whose time has come. Much of the improvement in economic opportunity and quality of life sought by policymakers for the citizens of their states depends on the acceptance by universities (especially metropolitan universities) of a leadership role in their communities. But university leadership cannot marshal the…

This publication explores adult literacy and numeracy. In particular, it draws on major insights from research conducted during 2003 and 2004 for the Adult Literacy National Project funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Education, Science and Training. Key messages include: (1) Literacy and numeracy skills are shaped by…

This longitudinal study examined the education of language minority students in five school districts nationwide. Qualitative data included interviews, school visits, surveys, and source documents. Quantitative data included information from registration centers, language minority student databases, student information systems databases, testing…

This study examined the theoretical and research literature pertaining to culture learning in language education programs, focusing on whether studies existed that could support or challenge current language education practices regarding the teaching of culture; provide guidance to language educators on effective culture teaching methods; suggest…

This collection of papers examines how the contexts in which language teaching occurs impact the aims and methods of language teaching. Ten papers focus on the following: "Introduction: Context and Culture in Language Teaching and Learning" (Mike Byram and Peter Grundy); "From Practice to Theory and Back Again" (Claire…