Criticizes the national curriculum in England and Wales for not giving elementary-school teachers the freedom to explore relationships between subjects, especially as they relate to scientific and technological literacy. Argues that teacher education in science and technology and teacher input into curriculum development must also be improved.…

Outlines the transmission theory of teaching explaining that the theory is criticized in terms of its implied acceptance of theory-free observation, learning by inductive process, and secure knowledge. Discusses Karl Popper's alternative theories of learning and the growth of knowledge and outlines some of the implications for educational…

Considers some of the ways in which Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can support teaching for understanding in primary (elementary) schools. Previous research and research in progress about ICT training for teachers suggest that there are clear possibilities for improving learners' understanding using ICT. Identifies some barriers…

Analyzes conflict over multicultural education as an example of Bourdieu's classification struggle, highlighting contests over the reconstruction of U.S. history. The paper examines: what is at stake in how a nation is symbolically constructed; how multiculturalism engages in classification struggle and the nature of resistance; limitations in…

Explores the comparative 'history of history teaching' in England and Wales in the twentieth century, focusing on the final reports of the National Curriculum History Working Group in England and the National Curriculum History Committee for Wales. Provides a historical explanation of how the Wales history curriculum emerged. (CMK)

In this article, the author describes the educational potential of a garden project. When the opportunity to visit a school in Amsterdam arose as part of her primary science PGCE course, the author jumped at the chance to experience science learning in another country. The majority of teaching that took place was topic-based, and science was…

The author shares her personal view about when it is useful for children to record their work in science, what helps their learning, and what switches them off, describing some fairly common scenarios. In her role as an Ofsted inspector, the author is privileged to observe, talk to, and learn from dedicated, inspirational, and gifted teachers who…

As readers of this journal will know, 2010 will see all KS2 (ages 7-11) pupils in England entitled to learn a modern foreign language in normal curriculum time. This development of the commitment to primary language learning should provide an excellent opportunity and experience for pupils, while at the same time requiring some radical changes for…

Between 1991 and 1995, the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department funded a national evaluation of the implementation of the 5-14 Development Programme based on information gathered from both primary and secondary schools. This interchange is concerned with the primary school perspective alone. Data were gathered from a questionnaire of…

Between 1991 and 1995, the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department funded a national evaluation of the implementation of the 5-14 Development Programme based on information gathered from both primary and secondary schools. This Interchange is concerned with secondary school perspective alone. Data were gathered from a nationwide…

Since 1990, the implementation of the Science at Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum in England has exerted a profound impact on the style of inservice training supporting the teaching of science in the primary curriculum. This paper explores the potential of distance learning to deliver inservice training in primary science using…

High stakes summative assessment has been a significant element of educational policy in England and Wales for more than a decade. However, research evidence indicates that formative assessment is more likely to raise student achievement. Although some students are able to use summative assessment formatively, devising their own self-regulated…

This book is a collection of works that explore the implications of a national U.S. curriculum through the study of Japanese education. It consists of 10 chapters: (1) "The Development of the Course of Study and the Structure of Educational Reform in Japan" (Hiroshi Azuma); (2) "Setting National Standards: Educational Reform, Social…

It is now seen as an economic and political necessity for countries to produce higher levels of performance across the spectrum of ability of all their students. This paper describes one example of the influence of political conditions on the process of developing assessment instruments and on measuring standards. In England, the trend is toward…

This paper describes French language instruction to students with moderate learning difficulties as part of the British National Curriculum. It covers instructional units, introduction of a modern foreign language, simple reading and writing exercises, practical communication, learning a foreign culture, games, and trips to France. (DB)