Describes six divergent forms of constructivism in providing an overview of constructivist theory. Suggests a scheme for characterizing constructivist writing on the basis of its relative emphasis on personal versus social construction of knowledge, and objectivist versus relativist views of the nature of science. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Argues that some forms of constructivism propose an epistemological idealism with a concomitant relativism, while other forms are explicitly opposed to such positions. Explains that all forms of constructivism are often presented as being relativistic. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Examines central parts from the first two papers in this journal by Peter Slezak criticizing the "sociology of scientific knowledge". Considers some of the main philosophical issues raised by sociologists of science. Contains 87 references. (DDR)

Examines the advice offered by David Cathell in his popular 1882 book, "The Physician Himself," and looks at parallels in more recent medical education history, including physician overcrowding, medical education, technological advances such as the telephone and automobile, and the sensitive issues physicians must address. Concludes that in any…

The prevailing notion of integration of college teaching and research is more myth than reality. To make the relationship more productive, educators must change the terms, redefine research, and reorient thinking about teaching, understanding that teaching and research are distinct and not automatically linked. Institutions must implement policies…

As interest in service-learning increases, there is a concomitant need for a theoretical base for it. Reviews aspects of John Dewey's educational and social philosophy relevant to the development service-learning theory, including learning from experience, reflective thinking, citizenship, community, and democracy. A series of key questions for…

Service-learning is used least often in the fields at the core of the liberal arts and sciences, in part because of the perceived incompatibility between the purposes of a liberal education and the dynamics of service-learning. When we understand better the purposes and values of liberal learning, we will find service-learning a useful pedagogy…

Examines the relationship between peer review and governmental regulation as sources of authority in U.S. institutions of higher education. Reviews the development of government's role in education and highlights conflicts and synchronization between peer and governmental authority. Argues that peer review systems provide educators with a unique…

Discusses the relationship between teaching and research in higher education and how they are sometimes one and the same. Provides a perspective on scientific literacy, thoughts on the role of scientists in talking with the public about science, and the rationale for making a video course about chemistry. (DDR)

Explores the historical developments in technology that affected music education. Describes the developments in hardware, such as gears and levers, electricity, vacuum tubes, transistors, and integrated circuits. Discusses the changes in computer software from the 1950s to the present. (CMK)

Distinguishes between the narrow integration of disciplines, or focusing on solving specific problems, and wide integration, or sharing broad epistemological/metaphysical suppositions across disciplines. Advocates wide interdisciplinarity, arguing that the sciences tend to eliminate values or guiding suppositions when narrowly integrated with…

Argues that current practices for teaching integrative thinking skills are inadequate partly because no model exists to understand such efforts. Proposes a model for teaching integrative thinking based on existing models of creativity and synthesis. Discusses implications of the model for interdisciplinary studies. (32 citations) (AJL)

Examines modern and postmodern concepts of hope as applied to services for persons having mental retardation. Contrasts modernist theories of special education, based on interventionist social science, with postmodernist views, which critique modern social science as perpetuating stigmatized "mentally retarded" identities defined by…

Examines one theory used to justify science teaching on the basis of goals that transcend learning the content of science. Focuses on the goal of intellectual independence from science for nonscientists. Provides a brief overview of other content-transcendent goals in science education. Contains 45 references. (DDR)

Studies have berated American students for poor academic performance on standardized tests compared to their Asian and European counterparts. But education philosophy, pedagogical methodology, and learning objectives in the U.S. are simply different from those of these other countries. Rather than emphasizing rote memorization, American schools…