Animated pedagogical agents (APAs) have the potential to provide one-on-one, just-in-time instruction, guidance or mentoring in classrooms where such individualized human interactions may be infeasible. Much current APA research focuses on a wide range of design variables tested with small samples or in laboratory settings, while overlooking…

As a result of rapid growth and changes in the student body, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) has been engaged in a complete review and revision of its educational system since 1978. As part of this process, the Arts and Sciences Task Force (ASTF) was formed in 1980 to revitalize the liberal arts and science. The ASTF has…

In the fall of 1981 Kendall Demonstration Elementary School issued to its teachers new curriculum guides in four areas: Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. In Language Arts the implementation was more comprehensive than in the other areas. This report describes curriculum evaluation activities conducted at Kendall during…

The purpose of this document is to provide useful information for teachers and school systems engaged in the process of examining and choosing science curriculum materials appropriate for their settings. The curriculum profiles include summaries of selected programs available for K?12 science curriculum programs. Each profile describes a number of…

This yearbook presents 12 papers comprising recognized experts' thoughts about the content and organization of the various disciplines within the K-12 curriculum. These papers are as follows: (1) "Introduction: What Should Schools Teach?" by Ronald S. Brandt; (2) "Social Studies: The Study of People in Society" by Donald H.…

Described is the program of science education utilized by secondary schools in Tasmania, Australia. Included is a description of the science syllabus currently being adopted by the schools. (SL)

This guidebook sets forth five different methods for analyzing curricula. It is designed to be used primarily by teachers, curriculum supervisors, and administrators but may also be used by parents, students, and community members as they select materials for use in the classroom. The analytic methods are: (1) TIMSS Curriculum and Textbook…

In 1972, the Ministry of Education in the Republic of China gave the Taiwan Provincial Institute for Elementary School Teachers Inservice Education primary responsibility for research and development (R&D) for all elementary school curricula. The project in science and mathematics was carried out in two phases. Phase I, R&D, has five…

An introduction to Earth systems education describes a need and framework for an earth-systems focus in precollege curriculum. Challenges teachers to include this focus in science curriculum by following the guidelines presented in the Earth systems approach to science education. (five references) (MCO)

The editors of "The American School Board Journal" and "The Executive Educator" magazines recently invited school leaders from across North America to send in curriculum ideas that work. From among the 1,026 entries that were submitted, a panel of judges selected 100, which are published in this special report. Criteria for selection included (1)…

The Science/Technology/Society (STS) theme describes a contemporary trend in education which focuses on the teaching of issues such as air quality, nuclear power, land use, and water resources but justification for including STS in the high school core curriculum has a precedence based on historical connections among science, technology, and…

Discusses the development and implementation of the Standards of Learning (SOL)-Science, a publication which contains content concepts for K-12 science programs in Virginia. Examples of indicators for a criterion and suggestions for gathering evaluative data are given. (DH)

The Georgia Learning Framework is a collaborative effort among community-based partners and professional educators to produce a vision of mathematics and science that will prepare all Georgia students for the 21st century. It identifies habits of mind, skills and knowledge, and dispositions that all students must possess to be productive citizens.…

Delineates various conceptions of curriculum and uses one of these conceptions as basis for the development of a classroom learning environment instrument. Provides an overview of how a curriculum can be conceived as a social construction that arises through interaction of participants and explains how this instrument might be used by teachers and…

The original intent of this project was to improve the quality of the elementary science component of the Utah State University elementary science preparation program. The original impetus for the project resulted from a combination of a desire to continually improve an already sound elementary program, local concern over the quality of science…