Oral histories are a powerful pedagogical tool in developing historical understanding and important learning skills simultaneously. Teachers use firsthand accounts of historical time periods and/or events to help develop students' sense of history. In addition to gaining historical understanding, students are able to bring history alive by…

The authors discuss how high school students participated in a unit in which they learned about African American history in a 1:1 computer classroom--in particular, how they were able to use digital history to learn about a variety of African American leaders who are not frequently covered in the traditional American History textbook. In addition,…

Many school districts across North America have turned to a framework for curriculum design and instruction called "Understanding by Design." Included in the framework is a call for teachers to create "essential questions" that provocatively ask students to consider and learn the "big ideas and core processes within the…

Presents a measurement instrument to ascertain the readiness of students to deal with the inquiry process and suggests means to prepare them for inquiry. Data can serve as an indicator of students' attitudes towards teachers' questions and corresponding thought levels, and as an indirect expression of their feelings toward the inquiry approach.…

Describes an instructional strategy combining cooperative learning in small groups with questioning techniques designed to encourage creative and critical thinking. Asserts that creativity and the ability to work cooperatively are the two workplace qualities most identified by corporations and organizations as essential for future employees. (CFR)