Examines the shortcomings of the two major schools, behavioral and humanistic, that presently dominate the educational establishment's thinking about developing course objectives. Proposes a new pedagogical approach which allows educators to develop course objectives that illuminate the relationship between classroom methodology and content, and…

The Springs task, an individually administered measure of ability to criticize and control experiments, is described. The task has characteristics similar to Inhelder and Piaget's Bending Rods task; it yields scores on naming variables, controlling variables, and analyzing experiments. (See also RIE: ED 163 092.) (JKS)

Describes use of logic models to teach critical thinking skills in social work. By breaking down the helping process into parts, logic modeling enables students to approach the clinical experience as a whole and understand causal relationships between parts. Students are exposed to theory-practice connections and made aware of reciprocal…

Describes logic modeling as a tool for teaching evaluation skills in social work practice, research, and policy courses. Because logic models break down an intervention or program into parts, they inform evaluators about the kinds of results and evaluation data available, allowing effective and efficient assessment. Three approaches are…

These activities focus on the unifying concept of faster-moving fluids lowering fluid pressure. Students are able to visualize and measure the dynamics of fluid pressure with the hands-on approach of these activities, which helps to develop conceptual understanding. Activities are organized to show many examples of the same concept to reveal…

A mathematics teacher shares a family discussion about Pythagorean triples as her child discovers new ideas about generating a triple. This idea can be useful for introducing students to the Pythagorean theorem. Observes that middle school students tend not to share creative insights in spite of supportive families and teachers. Presents…

Describes a study focusing on student self-assessment and self-grading of examinations that test higher-order cognitive skills. The study supposed that by evaluating their own performance, students could not only enhance academic strengths and reduce weaknesses but also learn material in greater depth and further develop critical thinking skills.…

Argues that Chinese students are being increasingly exposed to education for modernization while largely missing out on an education in the social criticism of technology that would allow them to make empowered decisions about the role of technology and progress in Chinese culture. (DDR)

Discusses the importance of students learning and practicing effective questions in a manner that leads to organizing how information is to be searched, retrieved and sorted. Outlines ways school library media specialists should engage students in question-generating and in learning to research answers to questions. (AEF)

A study investigated the problem-solving skills and cognitive and learning styles of clinical decision making of 40 pharmacy clerkship students using a computer program. Results showed similarities in temperament, learning styles, information-processing modes, problem-solving strategies, and critical-thinking strengths, providing a profile of…

Discusses the principles of teaching that can help students to be actively, purposefully engaged in their learning. Describes current innovations in reading, language arts, and mathematics education. Introduces the constructivist principles and teaching practices that can facilitate implementation of current instruction innovations. (MOK)

Describes a step-by-step process utilized in an undergraduate statistics course for social science teachers. The approach emphasized basic concepts, story problems, and cooperative learning. Evaluation was provided by examinations and research papers using statistical analysis. Student improvement throughout the course was consistent and…

Literacy is discussed in the broadest sense. From an Aboriginal perspective, literacy is about sustaining a world view and culture, resymbolizing and reinterpreting past experience while honoring traditional values, living these values, and visioning a future in which an Aboriginal way of being will continue to thrive. Meaningful Aboriginal…

With the advent of the Internet, the tools for accessing information changed radically. For librarians, the mission has remained the same: manage library resources and give students the skills to find, organize, use, and share information, including Web site evaluation. Strategies for integrating technology with a love of reading are discussed. A…

If British Columbia education policy wanted to promote growth in numeracy and mathematics, the curriculum would provide opportunities to use mathematical concepts in social situations and give students time to move from concrete to abstract thought. Instead, the curriculum emphasizes extensive mechanical understanding and algorithmic manipulation…