This essay draws from a study conducted as part of graduate thesis work at George Mason University. The thesis examined the purpose of human rights education and critical media literacy, and the international inducements to include these subjects in the national education systems of United Nations (UN) member states. It compared the United States…

This article explores, from a teacher's perspective, how David Levin's course, "Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms," and the entire field, could benefit from recognizing where and when teachers could adapt such strategies to even better address the needs of their students. Such a change could have tremendous benefits for…

A key concept in contemporary Catholic educational discourse makes a distinction between religious education and catechesis. This distinction is based on the assumptions of faith commitment on the part of catechesis and the focus on cognitive outcomes on the part of religious education. Many official documents on Canadian Catholic school…

This article is a response to criticism of my book "Big Ideas for Little Kids." The main topics addressed are: Who is the audience for the book? Can people without formal philosophical training can be good facilitators of elementary school philosophy discussions? Is it important to assess attempts to teach philosophy in elementary school? Should…

After deciding which criteria a capstone course in a speech communication department should meet, faculty at West Texas A&M University decided to designate SCOM 401, Introduction to Rhetorical Criticism, as the capstone course. It is offered fall semester every year for juniors or seniors, and students are required to present their final…

In teaching a well-organized college physics course that is understandable to students, teachers should first understand students' conditions and circumstances and be clear on the goals of the course. The goals of physics teaching are commonly defined as understanding the nature of scientific reasoning and the concepts and methods of physics,…

Several outlines for a calculator usage course are presented, along with some suggested course objectives. The approaches seek to teach the utilization of calculators as computing devices into which formulas and calculations are translated. (MP)

Describes efforts to utilize a biocultural framework in introductory anthropology courses. Explains the biocultural theory of human evolution, describes experimental courses at Cornell University and Colorado College, looks at the problems encountered and lessons learned during these experimental efforts, and considers prospects for future…

Description of undergraduate program at the School of Librarianship and Information Studies, Polytechnic of North London, focuses on course objectives, the teaching sequence, and conceptual relationships between the major curriculum elements. Problems of integrating diverse teaching approaches and of forming a taxonomy of objectives in…

Suggests that a primary value of a history of science course is that it provides the student with a more profound understanding than obtained from science courses alone. However, the course should also instruct in the craft of history and communicate the role of history in shaping current thought and institutions. (KC)

A proposal is presented for a Music Ensemble course to be offered at the Community College of Philadelphia for music students who have had previous vocal or instrumental training. A standardized course proposal cover form is followed by a statement of purpose for the course, a list of major course goals, a course outline, and a bibliography. Next,…

One technique particularly worthy of possible inclusion in the secondary social studies methods class is an assignment in which students interview practicing social studies teachers. In addition to obtaining more insight into actual teaching practice, methods students learn about interviewing as a social studies teaching method. A course is…

Describes in detail six component features of teaching reference: lectures by instructor; assigned readings for class discussion; student reports; library "lab" sessions; case-study discussion; and speakers and library visits. Importance of planning and time-scheduling, comparative value of each component, grading, and element of…

Describes a robotics literacy course offered for elementary age children at Broward Community College (Florida) and discusses the motivation for offering such a course, the course philosophy and objectives, and participant reactions. A sampling of robots and robotics devices and some of their teaching applications are included. (MBR)

The International Labour Organization assigned a staff member to an Asian country to assist the trade unions in strengthening their workers' education programs. One important aspect of his assignment consisted of establishing and testing a viable course program by constructing a set of syllabi for basic, specialized, and advanced courses that…