Refutes the idea that critical thinking is not a skill by analyzing it from the phenomenological perspective of Edmund Husserl, and from the hermeneutic perspective of Martin Heidegger. Develops the thesis that critical thinking is a restructuring of schemata. Addresses the problem of attention or student engagement. (LS)

Explores teachers' conceptions of the meaning of history. Contends that teachers' conceptions of history tend to place them in one of five typologies: storyteller, scientific historian, relativist/reformer, cosmic philosopher, or eclectic. Finds that these conceptions are related to teacher background, teacher belief, and teacher knowledge.…

Provides a comprehensive evaluation of using videodisc effectiveness with elementary teacher education students to develop skills in implementing cooperative learning in elementary social studies. Probes the use of the videodisc to build observation skills and cooperative group facilitation skills. Indicates that videodisc instruction offers…

Examines Willem van de Wall's historically significant contributions to seminal literature on music therapy and the influence of music on behavior. Reviews van de Wall's early writings, at his work on music for children, and on music in institutions. Cites his "Music in Hospitals" as the culmination of his work in music therapy, music education,…

Looks at effective teaching research in order to identify a "correct" teaching sequence. Analyzes rehearsals to determine how teachers with varied levels of training and experience conformed to the optimal sequence. Finds that teachers spent too little time in correct sequences and failed to use enough positive reinforcement. (Author/LS)

Reports on a study that analyzed students' chain of music decisions from problem perception to problem solution. Found that highly involved problem solvers explored and organized sound for its musical expressiveness, while uninvolved problem solvers rarely based their decisions on musical concerns. Concludes with implications for music teaching.…

Attempts to determine the type of rehearsal organizational structure used by successful Ohio high school mixed chorus directors. Examines relationships between rehearsal structure and either teaching style or student attitudes. Results imply that music methods courses should offer a variety of rehearsal organizational strategies. (Author/LS)

Reports on a study that investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of computer classroom drill for learning bass clef notes. Compared posttest results among students with differing cognitive styles. Concludes that computer assisted instruction is an effective way to teach music skills, allowing teachers to focus on teaching aesthetic aspects of…

Findings indicated that children who received group play sessions outperformed those in the control group on the self-control and free play rating scales. Boys in the experimental treatment outperformed girls in the experimental treatment and all children in the control group on the sociometric measure. (RH)

A fairly stable set of job clusters was identified as contributing sources of satisfaction and frustration to early childhood edcators in center-based programs. These job clusters were: co-worker relations; supervisor relations; the nature of the work; pay and opportunities for promotion; and general working conditions. Related findings are…

Findings confirmed the hypothesis that children would exhibit a higher percentage of mature play categories relative to other forms of play during longer play periods than during shorter ones. Subjects engaged in significantly higher percentages of group play, constructive play, and group-dramatic play in longer periods. (RH)

Details considerations which suggest the importance of early education and children's socialization to it; integrates relevant socialization theories; discusses ethnography as a research perspective; explains ethnographic procedures used; and proposes a conceptualization of the preschool classroom as a dynamic configuration of school and peer…

Findings suggested that: (1) peer culture is not a unitary whole but rather a differentiated social system comprised of various groups and different types of players; (2) objects play an important role in peer culture as entry vehicles and social markers; and (3) play periods are social arenas in which the dynamics of the peer culture are enacted.…

Documented are major categories of errors that appear as children learn decimal fractions. Then the conceptual sources of these errors are established. Different curriculum sequences influence the probability that these classes of errors will appear. They can be used as diagnostic tools to detect children's understanding of mathematics topics.…

Data from the Second International Mathematics Study indicated that the retention rates of countries accounted for some achievement differences. However, achievement differences for the more able students across countries were not related to the rate at which countries retained students. Instead, variables such as opportunity to learn were needed.…