Oivind Varkoy challenges music educators who start their educational work from well-defined learning outcomes and who then test and assess whether students have achieved these predefined ends. He argues that "ends-means-thinking," "assessment-thinking," and "some sort of market-philosophy" all relate to "instrumentalism" in which learners are…

Reactions to John Monaghan's "Computer Algebra, Instrumentation and the Anthropological Approach" focus on a variety of issues related to the ergonomic approach (instrumentation) and anthropological approach to mathematical activity and practice. These include uses of the term technique; several possibilities for integration of the two approaches;…

A study of the development of commercial electron spectroscopy of chemical analysis (ESCA) instrumentation over a span of three decades is presented. The field has also been extended significantly by use of synchrotron radiation as a bright X-ray source, which has opened new areas of research in solid-state physics, molecular biology, and many…

Presents one aspect of the nature of contemporary research in the sciences, that of the coaction of instrumentation and theory in the practice of science. (MKR)

This paper criticizes the Yeany, Yap, and Padilla paper (1986). Questions the internal consistency about hierarchical relationships of integrated processes and cognitive reasoning concerning procedures used for the generation of subhierarchies, instrumentation used to assess the process skills, and rigor of lexicon. (YP)

Special microcomputer systems that provide data entry by voice can be an important development for the disabled. The Shadow/VET (voice entry terminal) is a computer voice entry product with reasonable cost/performance that is being marketed by Scott Instruments. (SEW)

Indicates that although the costs of sophisticated state-of-the-art instruments are needed for chemical research, federal agency funding assumptions lag far behind. Issues related to these costs, including an estimate of what the National Science Foundation departmental budget should be, are discussed. (JN)

Examines Telidon (a system of electronic components programed to receive, and translate into video form, electronic pulses representing pages of text and graphics stored in a central computer) and its potential impact on education. Discusses benefits: limitless information through direct computer access; individual and interactive instruction…

Explores factors that can explain the rapid evolution of the water sciences. Discusses the investment in measuring systems that allow characterizations of water properties and the expansion of mathematical and systemic approaches to the interpretation of data. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

Three learning concepts important for adult learners are that learning is accelerated by making connections to prior information, people learn best when actively constructing knowledge, and instruments are important in supporting knowledge retrieval and construction. The paper explains how index cards can be useful instruments in learning. (SM)

Argues for the use of instruments in introductory level chemistry and presents multiple perspectives on the issue. Reasons for employing instrumentation include the ability of introductory classes to reach a large number of students, the need to model situations in which scientists work, and student expectations regarding the use of technology.…

The authors state that organizational development (OD) consultants are reluctant to rely upon instruments because this would diminish their sense of usefulness. They discuss 15 OD issues and conclude that OD instruments must be based on sound principles of behavior and sequenced in a planned way in order to implement organizational change and…

It is argued that it is as necessary to gauge a student's interest in and respect for his/her learning as his/her skills and knowledge. Definitions of beliefs, attitudes, disposition, and motivation as they relate to measurement are proposed, and two measurement methods--systematic observation and a consequences questionnaire--are presented. (MSE)

Frank Leto, a professional musician and a Montessori teacher, discusses his professional music career, family, the arts in Montessori education, the lifestyle of a professional musician, writing children's songs, and percussion instruments. Provides advice for teachers of music. (SD)

Describes direct and indirect voltage input techniques and their applications to voltage measurements with a microcomputer. Details circuitry that can be used for this with a gameport. Gives examples of circuit modifications, application of voltage measurement, and alternatives to this method. (CW)