Traditionally, in sports, we spend the majority of practice time trying to do the "right" things; that is, producing the desired performance outcomes (e.g., hitting a golf shot down the middle of the fairway, shooting a basketball into the net, hitting a baseball into fair play). An alternative is to practice doing the "wrong"…

This paper investigates and analyses the features of a non-mainstream pedagogy, educational context and learning environment by presenting a counter-model which contrasts with the currently dominant educational project, an emergent global educational movement known as the Slow Education Movement. It demonstrates how the associated principles and…

Once students are asked to assess their own writing progress, they will begin to do their best for writing great prose instead of just great grades. Teachers will have to create a grade-free zone, allow students to set their own writing goals, provide a common language such as the Six Traits Model, and provide evaluation and instructional models…

Teacher discusses the advantages of nongraded evaluation of her English class and the improved responses of her students. (GB)

This chapter consists of a conversation between a third-grade teacher and a teacher educator about the advantages of the portfolio method of assessment. The advantages of portfolios are that they are a powerful learning tool as well as an assessment tool, they can make the separate subjects in a curriculum come together in an integrated way, and…

Presents suggestions for using math performance assessments in elementary classrooms to help students develop mathematical thinking skills. The article lists National Council of Teachers of Mathematics evaluation standards for mathematics assessment and describes a number of problem-solving activities for students. (SM)

A proposal to establish an experimental non-graded course in English is described, along with the results from the students' course evaluation. The following hypotheses and responses are disclosed. It was believed that a non-graded class situation would (1) have a positive effect on the student, (2) improve student-instructor relationships, (3)…

Discusses the value of writing assignments in mathematics instruction. Advocates informal, lengthy, nongraded writing as the best form of learning. Encourages the use of a learning log by students which is reviewed by both teachers and fellow students. Provides examples of short in-class mathematics writing assignments. (PAA)

A first year accounting course at an Australian university implemented strategies to develop skill areas valued by industry. Small groups of students collaborated on case studies downloaded from the course Web site, which also provided support resources, past tests and answers, and a discussion room. Assessment was based on preparation and…

This book discusses the anachronistic nature of the graded school structure and the practices that accompany it and proposes the alternative of a nongraded structure. The incompatibility of the graded system with present insights into child development are the the emphasis of the first chapter. Chapter 2 examines the effectiveness of nonpromotion…

This study investigated the relationship between children's ability to conserve on Piagetian tasks and six measures of the openness of classrooms which comprise the Dimensions of Schooling Questionnaire (DISC): (1) individualization of instruction; (2) student independence; (3) environmental flexibility; (4) nongradedness; (5) flexibility of…

This publication is a compilation of twenty-four studies on Asian experiences with new educational techniques for preparing educational personnel in response to demands for the universalization of education. Ten of the studies were originally presented at a study group which met in Bangkok, Thailand, in the fall of 1978. These studies have been…

The essentials of Piaget's theory and its application to teaching at the college level are described as part of the Learning and Evaluation Service workshop, Teaching Students to Reason, offered at Michigan State University. Objectives are to enable the teacher to: (1) diagnose and classify reasoning patterns of students; (2) evaluate current…

The document comprises three papers which focus on humanistic education. The first paper describes a bibliography for use in a college level interpersonal relations course. Objectives of the course are to encourage students to relate to other people and to reflect upon theories of interpersonal phenomena. The second paper examines humanistic…