This study focuses on the perceptions of student-teachers towards their engagement in small-scale research projects undertaken whilst on a one-year postgraduate initial teacher education programme. We present an institutional response to national and international policy agendas regarding the place of research within initial teacher education at…

State testing or end-of-course exams are recommended to determine if high school graduates are ready to enter college or the workforce because these assessments are aligned to content area expectations and standards that are measurable within each state as well as from state to state (Achieve, 2006). However, such assessments do not measure all…

Describes how students learn research skills by making "skinny books"--collections of photocopied articles made into a book with all the parts of a book added--on a topic a student wants to learn more about. Describes how skinny books have been used in a unit on the Holocaust. (SR)

Gives suggestions for developing a media-oriented local history project and for preparing students to conduct preliminary research and interviews. (KS)

Described are methods that secondary students can use in social science research projects. They include case studies, interviews, questionnaires, and participant observation. (RM)

A case study investigated the research processes and authentic learning experiences of 10 junior high students as they completed independent research projects. Students experienced the most difficulty in exploring and forming a focus. Only three students demonstrated all of the characteristics of authentic learning in their final products.…

Discusses 13 resources available to teachers of American literature on the World Wide Web including general resources, Internet sites related to electronic literature, and websites whose focus is American literature and culture. Discusses using and troubleshooting the World Wide Web in the classroom. Offers tips on how to evaluate web sources and…

Describes a geography project based on Ripley's "Believe It or Not" books. Students write their own booklets about different world cultures. Phase I involves three days of research and writing; phase II involves typing and assembling the booklet. Students examine cultural values in relation to the "unusual." (KC)

Described is History Day, a national program that encourages middle and secondary students to research a subject of interest to them. Students acquire research skills and a knowledge of history as they prepare papers, projects, and performances for competition. How one Georgia high school participated in the program is discussed. (RM)

This article explores the principles of structuring student classroom and library research. It is presented in the form of a workshop activity suitable for use in a geography department staff workshop. (JDH)

Describes the Intel Science Talent Search, considered the most prestigious high school research competition. Relates the experiences of two high school students working on their research projects with their mentor. Highlights other research competitions such as the International Science and Engineering Fair. (CMK)

Argues that the Kennedy assassination is an important event for history classroom consideration. Offers ways this event can be examined to develop discussion and research skills. Outlines a possible course syllabus with an extensive bibliography and lists a wide range of materials for teaching a unit on presidential assassination. (RKM)

This comprehensive, all-inclusive guide to creating research reports is intended for use by secondary and middle school students. The easy-to-read, easy-to-follow guide will show the student how to: choose a topic for that is broad enough to offer many options for research, but narrow enough for thorough research; proceed with the research, take…

Describes National History Day, an annual event in which students compete for state and national prizes awarded for the quality of their self-selected historical research projects. Evaluates the contest as an educational program, suggesting some implications it has for the teaching of history in the schools. Describes various student experiences…

The effective use of research assignments with student-centered resources involves three steps: (1) identifying specific student resources, (2) designing an action research assignment, and (3) teaching students to effectively use research skills. Each of these steps is discussed. (RM)