Michael Kirst's article "Strengths and Weaknesses of American Education" in the April 1993 "Kappan" applauds U.S. efforts to become globally competitive. However, assembling cars in Mexico or exporting jobs to Korea blurs the distinction between national/corporate "teams." The issue is not talent but cheap talent.…

Two studies exposed children and adults to an illusion created by perceptual adaptation, in which subjects perceived two identical bottles, held simultaneously in a different hand, as being different in weight. Feedback and repeated trials led older children and adults to improve performance in determining correct weights. The role of feedback,…

This research endeavored to study student's views of science through their operative definitions of science. The results were used to create an instrument with which teachers could evaluate students' perceptions of science and then prepare lessons that address misconceptions. (PR)

Inclusion is not an economy move but a way to meet children's special needs in regular, age-appropriate classroom, with provision for a full continuum of support services and no admittance prerequisites. An even more appropriate approach is infusion--across-the-board representation of all students in all schools, regardless of their individual…

Among the conclusions from an microanalysis of 29 high school physics student's concept mapping behaviors were that concept maps lead to sustained discourse on the topic and improved declarative knowledge. On the negative side, concept maps let scientifically incorrect notions become ingrained and go unchallenged. (PR)

Dramatic developments in brain research and imaging technology are rapidly advancing our understanding of the human brain. The new biologically based brain theories suggest that "nature" dominates "nurture" and that many current beliefs about instruction, learning, and memory are wrong. This article explains neural Darwinism…

Presents a summary of teaching practices that are successful in promoting conceptual change based on a study of Grades 4, 8, and 10 and on the research literature. Proposes improvements in teaching methodology. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Examines Villanova University's decision to stop selling Cliffs Notes in its bookstore and attitudes toward Cliffs Notes, highlighting honest work, shortcuts, serious research, critical thinking, and original thinking. Provides the following advice for librarians: avoid being parental; avoid unexamined judgments; and avoid undervaluing Cliffs…

Compares the ideas of young people about Newton's third law, focusing on youth of today and youth of the 17th and 18th centuries. Examines the use of Newton's third law in understanding impact phenomena in the 17th and 18th centuries. Contains 46 references. (DDR)

Responding to the author's "discourse on democracy" in this journal's inaugural issue, Jim Scheurich claims that "democracy" used in conjunction with educational change is a code word for "white majoritarian racial domination or supremacy." To Glickman, democratic ideals (equality, liberty, fraternity) are universal and worth struggling for. (11…

Debunks two ideas appearing in brain-based education articles: the educational significance of brain laterality (right brain versus left brain) and claims for a sensitive period of brain development in young children. Brain-based education literature provides a popular but misleading mix of fact, misinterpretation, and fantasy. (47 references (MLH)

Constructs case studies of individuals to explore the way conceptions change over time, and the difficulties presented by the concept of atmospheric pressure. Evaluates different structural theories of conceptual change. Contains 62 references. (DDR)

Reviews literature on conceptual change and the study of concepts. Introduces a theory of one particular type of concept. Contains 25 references. (DDR)

Identifies common misconceptions about polygons. Discusses current practices used to teach geometry to search for the source of misconceptions, and describes ways to help students avoid these misconceptions. (ASK)

Reports on the effects of a problem-solving-based instructional model on earth science students' (n=172) achievement and alternative frameworks. Results revealed that the problem-solving-based instructional model significantly improved the achievement of students, especially at the application level. Students in the treatment group experienced…