This study reports on the capabilities of 53 Year 4 students as they completed the final stages of their first complete statistical investigation. In the context of becoming acquainted with students in a sister school in another city, students in both schools wrote and refined questions, which were answered by all students in an on-line survey.…

This paper presents findings on communication preferences of college students (N=1986) related to academic and non-academic purposes. This study also examines the use of technological tools which influence student communication preferences. Findings indicate a preference for face-to-face interactions despite the heavy utilization of technological…

Deborah Appleman will reconsider educational innovation by providing an example that demonstrates how communities of practice, even in the most restrictive environments and subaltern spaces (Foucault, 1995) can disrupt hierarchical power relations by providing creative opportunities and educational environments that offer agency and thus…

Despite hazing being illegal in South African education institutions since December 2002 and post 2002, newspapers and research reveal that it is still practised. It seems as if popular, rather than elitist opinion and debate or research findings perpetuate hazing practices. The aim of this article is to identify popular discourses on hazing in…

This cross-case analysis of three distinct letter writing activities between prospective teachers (PTs) and K-12 learners provides insights into PTs' levels of feedback according to Hattie and Timperley's (2007) framework. PTs' written feedback from letter writing activities conducted in teacher preparation programs were analyzed using this…

Provides a glimpse of the Montessori past by sharing letters from and stories about Maria and Mario Montessori. Shares insights and lessons learned over a lifetime's connection the Montessori family. (JS)

Psychoanalysis, a favorite method for studying personality and motivation, cannot be used on the dead. Instead, biographical analysis must be employed. This study examines Mark Twain's aggression by analyzing his writings, social behavior, and environmental aspects of his life. In viewing Mark Twain's novels as representing fantasy, 17 categories…

Using a 1974 case in a Wisconsin court--Burish v. Rice--as a case study, this paper describes how educators can write letters of recommendation that are both educationally sound and legally defensible. The paper states that writers of negative recommendations must be ready to meet the tests of defense against libel and slander, which are truth and…

This paper describes current phases of two research projects: a completed one in southern Appalachia and another one to begin in North Dakota. The paper explains that the Appalachian project investigated the effects the widespread stereotype of Appalachian illiteracy has had on Appalachian literacy learners; while the North Dakota study is going…

A rhetorical analysis of the letter of application and the vita used in applying for a teaching job in language and literature is used to provide practical advice to applicants. Of the many components of a full rhetorical analysis, three receive special attention: the rhetorical situation, some characteristics of the audience, and several features…

In this exploratory study, participants (N=35) were individuals who were receiving or had received counseling in recent months for varied reasons ranging from personal difficulties to couple and relationship difficulties. A technique that has been used in the learning literature was utilized, having participants write a letter to a friend…

This acceptance speech for an award honoring "Dear Mr. Henshaw," a book about feelings of a lonely child of divorce intended for eight-, nine-, and ten-year-olds, highlights children's letters to author. Changes in society that affect children, the inception of "Dear Mr. Henshaw," and children's reactions to books are…

More letters to the editor are being written to daily newspapers than ever before, and more of them are being published in ever-expanding letters columns. However, many letters go unpublished because of the letter's unsuitability, lack of space, or the writer's view having already been expressed. A study examined--by combining the methods of…

Since broadcasters are mandated by the Federal Communication Commission to ascertain community needs prior to applying for or renewing licenses, their concern for finding effective audience-analysis tools is generally great. This paper briefly surveys the research conducted on expression of opinion through viewer and listener letter-writing and…

A study based on textual analysis of sales letters is reported that evaluates the Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action (AIDA) approach to teaching the writing of sales letters. Thirty business letters written by undergraduate business students and executives were analyzed. The forms of cohesion, voice pattern, and information focus of the…