Recounts one teacher's experience at unsuccessfully solving spatial problems in a workshop experimenting with individualistic and cooperative learning approaches to problem solving. This humbling experience reminded the author that failure is humiliating and can arise from simply not knowing how to think about a task. All humans are "at-risk"…

This article outlines basic concepts of three prominent instructional approaches: cooperative learning, direct instruction, and learning styles. The relationship between each model and developing student thinking skills is explored; an organizing framework for assessing and synthesizing instructional models is examined; and implications for…

Reviews the literature, as it relates to American Indian students, on cooperative learning, competition, learning styles, teacher-student interactional styles, peer influence, and the effects of cooperative versus competitive learning on academic achievement. Discusses Student Team Learning techniques. Contains 31 references. (SV)

There has been much discussion recently of the effect that gender and learning style have on student performance. Educators have attempted to develop new teaching and assessment strategies that accommodate a variety of learning styles, and both males and females are becoming more aware of gender-related traits and their relationship to classroom…

Describes and illustrates the rationale, purpose, and philosophy of the conceptually based, school mathematics program of instruction at the Kenilworth Public Schools in their long-term collaborative partnership, since 1984, with the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education at Rutgers University. (26 references) (JJK)

During the past five years, East Islip (New York) School District has developed an outcome-based curriculum and instructional format focusing on student mastery of thinking skills. Connecting mastery learning with thinking skills provides a framework allowing students to make their own connections between instructional fragments, classroom…

This book describes a comprehensive strategy for getting to know students learning behaviors and includes everything from theoretical constructs to projects for classroom use. Glosses direct the reader to further information on subjects discussed in the book: cognitive science, brain science, learning styles, multiple intelligences, and…

The motto of the national science education reform efforts is "science for all" regardless of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background, or any special need. The main issue of this statement is the modification of science activities so that a wider range of students can benefit from it, which is a difficult task. For teachers, the dilemma is…

A former principal describes how a "problem" rural Alaskan school became a model of positive self-esteem, community involvement, student achievement, and enthusiasm for learning. She discusses problems (cultural dissonance and fragmented curricula), the project's philosophical basis in cultural sensitivity and personality-type theory,…

Argues that students embody multiple ways of knowing and learning, all of which can theoretically and practically be fostered in the literature classroom. Discusses various ways (especially choral reading and Readers Theater) of including different kinds of intelligence other than merely the verbal in the interpretation of literature. (HB)

According to the literature on cognitive style, of utmost importance to critical thinking is the organization of segments of information into a comprehensive whole. Creative thinking is a process in which a person becomes aware of a problem or difficulty, searches for possible solutions from past experience, and evaluates, modifies, and tests…

In Flemish education, there is an ongoing debate regarding the implementation of the concept of student centered education within educational settings. In order to investigate student teachers' beliefs about the learning environment within the learning to teach process, this case study, conducted within two departments of preservice and inservice…

Examines characteristics of traditional indigenous education of Aboriginal Australians and the discriminatory and inappropriate education introduced by Europeans. Discusses aspects of Aboriginal learning style (holistic, imaginal, kinesthetic, cooperative, contextual, person-oriented). Lists classroom strategies to make mathematics learning more…

Briefly reviews current understandings of learning that have direct implications for teaching practice, and includes references to other work that may be useful. Discusses five general topics: multiple domains of competence (multiple intelligences); socioemotional factors in cognitive processes; collaborative learning; pathways to competence; and…

Educators are moving toward models of instruction that contain a myriad of interaction patterns among teachers and students. This shift from didactic teaching models to intensely involving designs is difficult for teachers, but is made easier if seen as a gradual change. This book provides an overview of 12 cooperative interaction designs for the…