Research has shown that although teachers' knowledge about the subject or pedagogy is important, a teacher's professional vision (including their perceptions and pedagogical decisions) can also have a significant impact on the efficacy of their practice. Firmly grounded in the long-standing field of teacher professional vision research, this…

This paper describes the many features of PSI identifying the five key characteristics of the system as outlined in the original Keller Plan. The origins, both historical and theoretical, of the system are described and the range of current applications and typical research findings are summarized. (Author)

A program developed to teach French civilization and modern France at the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland) was designed to take advantage of readily available, relatively sophisticated technology for classroom instruction. The hardware used includes a satellite earth station that receives regular television broadcasts from France, a…

Proposes that a discussion of narrative techniques and their application helps technical writing students better understand their audience's needs and interests. Discusses point of view and sequence. (HTH)

Recommends a 15-step cut-and-staple method that helps students improve their writing while learning to manipulate parts of their work in the revision stage of the writing process. Offers secondary suggestions in addition to the 15 steps. (RL)

Weighs the advantages and disadvantages of using the workshop approach in college writing instruction. Focuses on inadequate instructor qualities, inadequate class mix, poor use of time, boredom, and grading procedures as problems to be overcome when using the workshop approach. (RL)

Encourages the use of guest speakers in technical writing classes and provides suggestions in the areas of selection and preparation of the speakers, selection of an appropriate time for the speech, introduction of the speaker, format of the speech, encouragement of student responses, and evaluation. (TJ)

An educator involved with the Higher Education for Learning Disabled Students (HELDS) project discusses modifications made by faculty for LD students. Changes are reviewed for traditional lecture courses, seminars, methods, courses, practica, and teacher education tests. Examples of problems exhibited by LD students are described (reading…

The first day of a college course is the most critical of the term, the day that sets the tone. This guide provides tools and strategies to get classes off on the right foot. The chapters are: (1) Classroom and Course Management: The Nuts and Bolts of Successful Beginnings; (2) A Positive Start: First-Day Classroom Activities and Icebreakers; (3)…

Offers a writing exercise, based on a comic-strip theme, that teachers can use to relieve tensions between them and their students while developing students' expressive writing skills. (RL)

Argues that business writing teachers might profit from recent studies appearing in the composition literature that focus on the composing process, redefinition of rhetorical modes, and the use of classroom peer groups. (FL)

Describes a strategy for teaching abstracting in technical writing classes. Discusses kinds of abstracts and guidelines for writing them, and provides in-class and follow-up assignments. (HTH)

Describes a prewriting technique in which technical writing students are given a tool or mechanism with which they are unfamiliar and told to figure out what the object is from a series of clues. (HTH)

Uses a broad definition of technical writing (practical writing) as a backdrop for two freshman composition courses. Introduces a student planning sheet for "thinking in"--examining the audience and purpose of a writing assignment. (RL)

Presents a checklist for instructors preparing to teach a large geography lecture class. Suggests having enough supplies, especially paper for copying; ordering enough textbooks; making sure that seats have writing surfaces; writing out examination policies; and other time-saving management procedures. (GG)