Strict adherence to fixed curriculum is highly valued. Pursuit of student questions is highly valued. Curricular activities rely heavily on textbooks and workbooks. Students are viewed as blank slates onto which information is etched by the teacher. Students are viewed as thinkers with emerging theories about the world.
Teachers generally behave in a didactic manner, disseminating information to students.
Teachers generally behave in an interactive manner, mediating the environment for students. Teachers seek the correct answer to validate student learning. Teachers seek the students' points of view in order to understand students' present conceptions for use in subsequent lessons. Students primarily work alone. Students primarily work in groups.