This article explores the benefits and problems of teaching with challenged books in the English language arts classroom. Challenged books initiate important discussions and provide opportunities for students to explore diverse perspectives. Methods for helping teachers and schools prepare for potential challenges are also discussed. The authors…

Every profession has a set of essential tools for carrying out its work. Airplane mechanics cannot repair engines without sophisticated diagnostics, wrenches, and pliers. Surgeons cannot operate without scalpels and clamps. In contrast, teaching has often been perceived as a profession requiring only students, chalk, and a blackboard in order for…

This study examined pre-service teachers' potential use of Web 2.0 technologies for teaching. A coding scheme incorporating the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework guided the analysis of pre-service teachers' Web 2.0-enhanced learning activity descriptions. The results indicated that while pre-service teachers were able…

Indiana's declining SAT scores prompted the publisher of a statewide magazine covering the literary, performing, and visual arts to take action and create a program to use the magazine as a supplemental resource for students. It was believed that such a supplemental resource could enhance critical thinking and writing skills and help raise SAT…

One of 33 self-paced instructional modules for training industry services leaders, this module contains three sequential learning activities on determining appropriate types of instructional methods and media for an industry services job training program. (Industry services are manpower services provided by public agencies to new or expanding…

Reviews recent research on teacher planning of classroom activities and the parameters of material selection utilized by teachers; discusses how teachers' decisions to use instructional television are contingent upon these planning and selection processes; and suggests reevaluation of instructional television marketing procedures to reflect…

As an aid in integrating videotape procedures into effective speech communication programs, this report discusses the advantages and disadvantages of videotaping, provides guidelines for the use and purchase of equipment, and suggests classroom and extracurricular activities involving videotape. After indicating several positive characteristics,…

This module, one in a series of performance-based teacher education learning packages, focuses on a specific skill that vocational educators need to be successful in the area of instructional execution. The purpose of the module is to help instructors become competent in operating film equipment and in using films to present information in the…

The problem method is an important instructional tool to make teaching more enjoyable for both the student and the instructor. To be effective the teacher must provide enthusiasm and motivation, shorter instructional units, student activities, application of the instruction, a summary at the end of each class, and various types of presentations.…

This document is a catalogue designed to help motivate students by familiarizing teachers with use and selection of manipulative materials. The first section discusses what manipulative materials are, how to use manipulative materials in instruction, in what branches of mathematics manipulative can be used, what students benefit from manipulative…

This pamphlet on using various learning tools is the sixth of 16 in a series to provide leaders in adult activities with sound introductory material to give practical help in using a method of adult education or working in a particular area. Its objective is to help leaders improve their methods of teaching. Ten articles and how-tos are included.…

This module on using available media resources to enrich instruction is the third of 11 modules in the set, Introduction to Teaching Adults. Designed to meet the learning needs of part-time continuing education instructors, these modules can be used as resource materials for local workshops or study-discussion groups, as self-instruction (each…

This handbook is intended to help teachers of pre-employment shop courses in organizing and delivering instruction in both the shop and classroom. Addressed in the guide are the following topics: the instructor's place in the local school organization; the instructor's job (objectives, advisory committees, occupational analysis, shop/classroom and…

Economics lessons and suggestions on how to organize and teach high school economics courses are provided. An overview discusses how to organize an economics course, key economic concepts, how to choose instructional materials, and how to evaluate students. A bibliography of resource materials and addresses of resource organizations are also…

As part of a series dealing with competency-based education, this monograph explores the optimum selection and utilization of instructional activities, materials, and methods. The monograph first discusses the responsibility of the instructor to plan learning activities that reinforce targeted performance competencies, and then presents a…