Critically examines the "English ethnographic tradition's" view that classroom instruction transmits propositional knowledge. Uses observed classroom discourse to argue that instruction in fact produces knowledge, both propositional and "how-to". (MCG)

Constructive-developmentalism is a theory of learning that incorporates two major concepts: (1) that students construct knowledge by organizing and making meaning of their experiences, and (2) that this construction takes place in the context of students' assumptions about and creation of knowledge. A gap often exists between instructor and…

The notion of paradigms is central to philosophical and educational inquiry. The tri-paradigmatic structure suggested by Habermas is considered. Each of the paradigms--the empirical-analytic, the interpretive-hermeneutic, and the critical-theoretic--is examined in relation to education. The author contends that the paradigm used greatly influences…

Cognition, as a key semantic descriptor, is examined to discover how its use reveals Western attitudes toward knowledge acquisition and toward art as a subject area. (Author/CS)

Describes the Cognitive Learning from Automated Instruction (CLAI) model. Discusses cognitive learning, learning from instruction, and automatic instruction; reviews instructional theories relating cognitive processes and instruction; and describes the CLAI model for developing intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). Illustrates a practical approach…

Constructs the philosophical background and underpinnings of the Science Education Portfolio Instruction and Assessment (SEPIA) project. Explains that students must develop skills in order to participate in epistemic interchanges. They must also be provided opportunities and materials to develop those skills. Contains 29 references. (DDR)

Distinguishes between psychological constructivist and social constructivist groups. Explains the reasons for the growing acrimony in debates between the two groups. Discusses social constructivist accounts of the causes of belief in science. Contains 43 references. (DDR)

Presents three studies that demonstrate the efficiency of the kinesthetic conflict in promoting the understanding of three scientific concepts among children aged 5-12. Results support Piaget's theory which determines the origins of scientific thinking. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Discusses how learning occurs and the role of the learning environment as a source of information. Argues that the culture of the learner has a central role in the learning of science using the traditional world view of African students as an example. Contains 124 references. (DDR)

Argues that genuine critical thinking requires the recognition of the evolutionary nature of knowledge. Discusses the Perry scheme of nine stages of cognitive development and the Nelson variant of Perry's stages. Discusses teaching methods that are based on this approach and provides suggestions for further research. (CFR)

Research investigating the role of computers in the primary classroom is closely linked to the body of knowledge concerned with theories of learning and child development. Presents research as an attempt to provide scientifically supportable reasons why computers are effective in education and examines the educational application of cognitive…

Few college teachers understand the process learners go through during periods of insight, large or small. Many treat this transition from one paradigm of knowledge to another as purely cognitive when, in fact, it is also highly emotional. A model of the transition is presented and a reflective guide is offered to help teachers facilitate this…

There have been enormous advances in our understanding of human learning in the past three decades. There have also been important advances in our understanding of the nature of knowledge and new knowledge creation. These advances, when combined with the explosive development of the Internet and other technologies, permit advances in educational…

This book introduces the concept of leadership as the facilitation of constructivist reciprocal processes among participants in an educational community. Chapter 1, "Learning and Leading Theory: A Century in the Making," (Deborah Walker and Linda Lambert) traces the dynamic history of learning and leading during this century, concluding…

This paper summarizes the literature on research studies in informatics and changes in learning, particularly computer-assisted instruction. Research results themselves are often inconclusive when no allowances are made for different generations of hardware and software or computer types, when the computer is treated as the only variable in the…