In the face of mounting evidence revealing active learning approaches result in improved student learning outcomes compared to traditional passive lecturing, there is a growing need to change the way instructors teach large introductory science courses. However, a large proportion of STEM faculty continues to use traditional instructor-centered…

In this article, Peter Sainsbury advocates the use of microscopes in the primary classroom to transform the familiar into something quite amazing. After Sainsbury's school borrowed a Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) Microscope Activity Kit, both Sainsbury and the school changed their attitude and approach to using microscopes in the primary…

The present study reports on the development and evaluation of a classroom module to train scientific thinking skills. The module was implemented in two of four parallel sections of introductory psychology. To assess learning, a passage-based question set from the medical college admissions test (MCAT[superscript 2015]) preview guide was included…

This paper describes how a university, collaborating with industry, integrated research with active learning (e.g., collaboration in teams and competitions) for fashion majors. The redesigned introductory course uses two strategies: team competitions and a genius bar to guide students, give ongoing feedback, and judge final competitions. Active…

Teaching students how to think critically and develop lifelong habits of evidence-based inquiry outside of the classroom is a primary goal for educators today. This paper describes nine activities designed to promote evidence-based critical thinking in college or high school classrooms in any discipline. We have developed a seven step process for…

A challenging aspect of educating secondary students is integrating complex scientific concepts related to modern research topics into lesson plans that students can relate to and understand at a basic level. One method of encouraging the achievement of learning outcomes is to use real-world applications and current research to fuel student…

This article discusses and evaluates the inclusion of ethics learning modules in a graduate- level visual design theory course. Modules were designed as a part of an NEH grant. Students grappled with case studies that probed the ethics of visuals at the crux of the BP oil refinery accident, NASA space shuttle disasters, the Enron collapse, and…

This report explores the first iteration of a teacher professional development courselet grounded in constructionist theory and activities. This online teacher professional development (oTPD) courselet provided opportunities for teachers to engage in just-in-time, ongoing TPD within a social networking site for educators. The topic of the oTPD was…

The need to increase US competitiveness in the world economy is a driving factor in the recent push to internationalize university campuses across the country. Technical and subject area expertise are no longer sufficient to succeed in the 21st-century global workplace. Intercultural competence is becoming more valued as part of the desired…

Teaching physical science in the elementary and middle grades can be challenging for busy teachers faced with growing science demands and limited classroom resources. Robert Prigo provides fun and engaging activities using safe, available materials that educators can easily incorporate into lesson plans. Extensive examples, sample inquiry…

This education kit was compiled by Iowa's Nongame Program to celebrate the successful reintroduction of the peregrine falcon (Cedar Rapids, July 1989) after its near extinction in the state in the 1960s. This resource unit was developed to enhance the education of students and teachers in Iowa about endangered species and specifically the…

This curriculum module is designed to provide potential users with access to pedagogic techniques and scholarly works on the subject of social stratification in contemporary Asian societies that can be effectively integrated into appropriate sociology and other relevant courses. First, a set of goals and learning objectives is presented in an…

Public policy affects the experiences of workers and their families, both directly and indirectly. For example, employment-focused statutes such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Employment Retirement and Income Security Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act establish frameworks for…

This comprehensive curriculum resource guidebook is intended to help the adult education teacher of English to speakers of other languages. It is designed to help teachers reach across cultures and connect with individual English-as-a-Second-or-Other-Language students to better prepare them to become effective teachers. The guidebook begins with a…

This document is part lesson planner and idea resource and part annotated bibliography of electronic resources. The lesson planner is divided into four parts. Part one, "Tables to Go," contains different tables that can be used for a variety of exercises at all levels of the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classroom. Part two, "Exploring the…