This review of the role of music in public education in the United States begins with an account of the early developments of music education, and traces this role and its transformation throughout U.S. history. At first none of the arts constituted a substantial part of the materials of public pupil education. Music did not become part of the…

Techniques from required measurement and evaluation courses are rarely applied in teaching. A field experience which allowed physical education majors to assist in evaluating the fitness of elementary school students was used to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Pros and cons of the program are discussed. (JL)

Reviews the development of new Ontario History and Contemporary Studies Guidelines directed by Ontario Ministry of Education. Explains changes that occurred in curriculum such as Canadian and U.S. history courses being dropped in favor of a new course entitled "Canada in North American Perspective." Concludes that the new curriculum has…

An educational psychologist visited a Japanese fifth-grade mathematics class that was discussing and solving the problem of how to divide two into three parts. Students learned to devise and describe methods for solving mathematics problems and to defend and explain their problem solving. American educators are adapting some methods that the…

Examines the role of self-directedness or "learning education" in student development. Discusses a study of a group of Moscow (Russia) social science classes. Reports that children who studied a topic as a whole during each class outperformed students for whom the material was divided into separate lessons. Suggests that the holistic…

Discusses the methodology, materials, and results of teaching critical thinking to 20 third graders. (RL)

From a practical, eclectic, and teacher-centered vantage point, this paper reviews previous attempts to classify curriculum development processes, proposes an analytic schema for examing such processes, and explicates an alternative process which has been found to be effective in working with teachers. First, critical distinctions are drawn…

Presents the results of a survey of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business on the role of economics courses in MBA programs. Discovers a slight five-year decline in the number of economics courses. Discusses the relationship between economic course work and the focus of an MBA program. (MJP)

Reports on a study of the planned, written, and actual art curricula of 40 selected middle schools. Finds that, although design principles and art appreciation were identified as part of the curriculum, both the written and implemented curriculum was highly oriented toward art production. (CFR)

Because communication has been determined to be an essential part of all subject areas, not just English classes, this curriculum guide recommends a method for integrating communication across the curriculum in Saskatchewan (Canada) schools, from kindergarten to grade 12. The introduction defines communication skills as essential learning in…

Describes an attempt to ascertain the validity of the assumptions of the developers of a technology-based biological curriculum. Considers the organization of its learning materials and the transfer of key concepts. Illustrates some of the crucial issues faced by scientific curricula emphasizing technology. (CW)

Discusses the trends in education toward computer equipment and computer assisted learning in England. Surveys some of the attitudes of educators and students toward home-based, computer-aided learning, hardware and software. Anticipates future developments in technology for education. (CW)

Questions the differences between computer science and computer engineering. Reviews the body of knowledge pertaining to both fields. Asserts that they are essentially the same, and that computer science is a genuine intellectual discipline. (TW)

Reports on the results of a survey done in 1985 about chemical engineering undergraduate curricula. Compares the findings with similar surveys done in previous years, particuluarly 1981. Reveals that only minor changes have occurred since the 1981 survey, but projects greater changes by 1989. (TW)

Provides an introduction to the German educational theory of didaktik. Didaktik emphasizes critical thinking incorporated into content instruction. Although originally developed in the 19th century, didaktik has enjoyed renewed popularity within the last 10 years. Discusses the history of the theory and its impact on U.S. pedagogy. (MJP)