This book focuses on online pedagogy and the challenges and opportunities incumbent in the transformation of a face-to-face college course. It is intended as a resource and support for new online teachers--a source of ideas and strategies from a variety of disciplinary perspectives as well as pedagogical perspectives--and for those experienced in…

Communities across the country are grappling with different approaches to improving their schools. Introducing or expanding charter schools is one of the approaches that states and school districts have considered or implemented. Charter schools serve more than 5 percent of public school students nationwide and make up close to 7 percent of all…

Cites the literature comparing the effectiveness of large-class vs. small-class instruction and offers suggestions for handling large enrollment classes. (AEA)

Reviews research related to the question of whether or not science class sizes should be reduced. Research is grouped into two categories: (1) empirical research on achievement; and (2) research on teaching methodology. Discusses the Robert Slavin/Harris Cooper debate, when results defy common sense, and the Tennessee-based…

The challenges facing language teachers with large classes are discussed from an Australian perspective, including absentee learners and field coverage. Some blackboard and student performance techniques are identified along with possibilities of group work and individual work. (Contains five references.) (LB)

Six suggestions for individualizing instruction include: (1) grouping kids for instructional needs; (2) reducing class size; (3) providing additional resources; (4) increasing the amount of instructional time; (5) utilizing support personnel; and (6) preparing personnel with skills needed for individualization. (DB)

The items featured in this annotated bibliography touch on several aspects of the multifaceted class-size debate. Allen Odden reviews the literature and contends that class-size reduction should be used "sparingly and strategically." C. M. Achilles and colleagues examines two different class-size situations and find student test…

Suggests use of the planarian D. Dorotocephala, an animal 20 mm in size, in order to provide inexpensive lab experiences for students in large introductory psychology courses. The animal can be used to study perception, memory, behavior modification, and group processes. (Author/AV)

Six keys to successful instruction in large classes are identified: don't be intimidated, prepare carefully, be natural, be personal, prevent students from feeling insignificant and anonymous, and stay in touch with teaching assistants. (MLW)

The place of group work in three possible language classroom contexts is considered. No definitive generalizations are drawn, but a few inferences are noted: good teachers vary in organization and teaching styles; learner preferences vary; and not enough is known about group work in large classes in "difficult circumstances." (Contains 14…

A policy of reducing class size seems sensible, but might have costly, far-reaching implications for students, teachers, and public support for schools. The purpose of this research brief is to summarize 100 class size research studies from 1950 to 1985 and to regroup them into 18 areas of concern. The cluster analysis approach was designed to…

Describes a number of informal "turn-to-your-neighbor" approaches that create an active learning environment in college lecture settings. These include: launching class in discussion, breaking up the lecture for comprehension checks, closing class with small-group conversation, and debriefing exams. (DB)

Keys to success in the large class are related to (1) adequate preparation before the course begins and (2) being aware of the pulse of the class throughout the semester. Potential problems are identified and suggestions to make large classes function well are offered. (MLW)

Describes how a Wisconsin agricultural journalism course for nonmajors achieves success, despite large enrollments, through a heavy diet of writing exercises, review questions, out-of-class help, and student presentations. (HOD)

This book deals with the challenges of teaching large classes at institutions of higher learning, and addresses such issues as how instruction can be personalized and made more interactive with large numbers of students. The material for the book arose out of a "large classes project" at the University of Maryland, where the subject was…