2002 Summer Conference Announcement Registration Schedule Call for Papers

2002 Summer Conference "Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching" June 23 to 25, 2002 · The University of Maine · Orono, Maine Sponsored by: The University of Maine - Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Maine Mathematics and Science Teaching Excellence Collaborative (MMSTEC)

ABSTRACT New Directions in Teaching Chemistry James Spencer Over the past 20 years research in cognitive science, educational psychology, and classroom experiments has shown that there is an alternate philosophical and pedagogical approach to learning in the sciences. The new paradigm differs considerably from the teacher centered practices of the past 1000 years. Research has made clear that active students learn more than passive students, that greater student involvement in the learning process is needed, and that the emphasis should be placed on producing learning rather than on providing instruction. Constructivist principles and the learning cycle may be combined to produce a student focused active classroom environment that conforms more closely to the structure described by recent research than is provided by the traditional model. A brief overview of the theoretical underpinnings and how the results of research on learning translate into a changed classroom setting will be presented. A practical application of the new understanding of the student role in a typical cooperative learning classroom will be demonstrated. The conduct of the class and materials that conform to the guided inquiry educational hypothesis will be detailed. Back to Announcement Page

Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Maine Mathematics and Science Teaching Excellence Collaborative (MMSTEC)

This conference is supported by the U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Education (U.S. Department of Education Award Number R125K010106) and the National Science Foundation (NSF DUE #998-7444).