Presents a study to examine the effects of a verbal teaching strategy versus a strategy providing instruction using activities and manipulatives in four seventh grade earth science classes with students of varying cognitive abilities (n=83). Results indicate that students with more cognitive structures perform better and that using manipulatives…

Presents four hands-on activities to teach geometric concepts to both honors and non-college-bound students. The activities are adaptable to various levels and use manipulatives and technology to explore the concepts of enlargement, area, maximum volume, and figure duplication in a cooperative setting. (MDH)

A unit designed to cover the topic of genetic engineering and its ethical considerations is presented. Students are expected to learn the material while using a debate format. A list of objectives for the unit, the debate format, and the results from an opinion questionnaire are described. (KR)

Early adolescents may lack the cognitive and metacognitive skills necessary for effective inquiry learning. In particular, they are likely to have a nonnormative mental model of multivariable causality in which effects of individual variables are neither additive nor consistent. Described here is a software-based intervention designed to…

This trainer's manual covers module III of the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers (PITC), a four-module video training course for providers of family and center day care. The manual is intended to be used by module instructors and includes an overview of the PITC and instructions for using the manual and its accompanying videos. The module…

This document, presented in two volumes, reports on a psychology of mathematics education conference, the theme of which was "Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Mathematics Education." The two volumes include 58 papers, descriptions of 4 poster and 2 video presentations, and reports of and reactions to 2 plenary sessions presented…

The primary goal of this practicum was to improve the mathematical thinking skills of preschool students in a class of 30. The practicum was also intended to help the teacher improve her skills as organizer and facilitator. Additional objectives were that: (1) students would score at least 50 percent on teacher-made tasks; (2) there would be no…

This report comprises the results of a panel commissioned by the New York State Board of Regents to review the status of knowledge on learning styles and group tendencies in learning behavior. The panel commissioned background papers, and debated various aspects of learning style as they relate to education. Of particular note was the role of…

This paper discussed the use of structured observations as a research strategy in two recently completed studies that investigated students thought processes and behaviors in a microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) environment and in other instrument-based laboratory environments. In the first study, students' behaviors and thought processes were…

Given the current and widespread practical interest in mathematical understanding, particularly with respect to higher order thinking skills, curriculum reform advocates in many countries cite the need for teaching mathematics with understanding. However, the characterization of understanding in ways that highlight its growth, as well as the…

Originally developed as part of a project for the Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) system, this learning package on language learning and the young child is designed for teachers who wish to upgrade or expand their teaching skills on their own. The package includes an overview of the project; a comprehensive search of the ERIC database; a…

Project Partnership and Student Success (PASS) provides help to grade 3 high risk mathematics students by forming partnerships with their parents. The school provides practice materials and personnel to teach parents how to use them. Parents provide task-oriented time and individual attention to their child. This program, in a practical way,…

The process of conceptual change, in learners and in scientific knowledge, indicates that: (1) change involves complex and varied commitments to methods of investigation, aims and goals of investigation, and prior knowledge; (2) change leads to consensus forming or dissensus forming activities; (3) knowledge claims and procedures for testing…

A close relationship exists between children's capacity for learning in school (especially learning to read) and the amount and kind of reading aloud done by parents and teachers to children. Children's literature, especially the illustrations and the language contained in fine picture books, has the potential to provide six benefits that…

A course at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis offers students the opportunity to learn argumentative writing, while becoming aware of scholarly discourse in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Students realize that what once passed for a simple argument in everyday life becomes more sophisticated as they learn about research…