Teaching in a world that wants caution, careful documentation, and a prudent regard for student satisfaction, lest their actions come back to haunt them in court, is discussed. Getting students to think is tough; getting them to agree with the teacher is seen as dangerous. (MLW)

A study investigated whether Biglan clusters of academic disciplines (hard/soft, pure/applied, life/nonlife) could be used to explain disciplinary differences in college student ratings of instruction. It was found that Biglan clusters do not explain the differences, many disciplines still emphasize knowledge acquisition over higher-order skills,…

Summarizes results of a 3-year national study of performance assessments' effects on teaching and learning, based on visits to 16 schools implementing these assessments. Performance assessments marginally affected curriculum, but substantially influenced instruction and teacher role. Changing assignment and assessment format will not increase…

Comparative effectiveness of two instructional methods, one based on situated cognition and the other a traditional classroom-based presentation, were studied with 49 4th graders being instructed in map skills. Advantages of the situated cognition approach are demonstrated. (SLD)

Effects of frequent ungraded tests on graded unit tests, instructional strategy preference, and student ratings of course and instructor were studied with 82 undergraduates. Mean performance on unit tests did not differ for experimental (formative) and control groups, but formative students expressed a preference for the ungraded tests. (SLD)

Two studies investigated ways in which computer and video technology can support expert human coaches in order to reduce instructor time and increase learner-centered environments; the goal was to train undergraduate students to facilitate others' interpersonal problem solving. Results indicate that the technology-supported methods can decrease…

A study conducted with 105 university students investigated the effectiveness of using previous research findings as a means of teaching students how to interpret verbal and nonverbal behavior (decoding). Practice may be the critical feature for training in decoding. Research findings were successfully converted into educational techniques. (SLD)

Presents and discusses a contract to encourage students to get involved in cleaning up the environment. (PR)

A study involving six bilingually educated children (ages 5-6) with deafness found overall level of involvement was high on three educational tasks and was influenced by type of task, teacher, and language of instruction. Involvement was greater during activities led by the teacher with deafness using Sign Language of the Netherlands. (Contains…

Describes a study that sought to identify the attributes of high-quality science teachers at the junior high school level from the point of view of recent ex-students. Students described their best science teachers as presenting interesting and well-integrated hands-on activities, using a range of strategies to make lessons fun and interesting for…

Presents a study that compares an introductory high school biology curriculum, Biology: A Community Context (BACC), with traditional curricula. Discusses the differences between standards-based BACC and traditional instruction. Identifies the instructional method in BACC as investigative inquiry and the activities proceed from concrete to more…

This article describes the advantages a functional assessment of instructional conditions offers to teachers dealing with student problem behavior and discusses teacher instructional practices found to be proximal to student learning and on-task behavior. Reasonable hypotheses are suggested for the function of problem behavior as it relates to…

Discusses online teaching and distance education and considers philosophical principles that offer a foundation for the online teaching and learning process. Topics include the teacher's role; creating a class syllabus; moderating online discussions; authentic assessment; and critical thinking. (Author/LRW)

Describes a process by which technology education students negotiate a contract with the teacher, then develop a plan to fulfill the contract and meet specific criteria for assessment. Concludes that this process provides a mechanism for the individualization of learning, accommodates the development of independence and self-direction, and…

Although increasing feedback specificity is generally beneficial for immediate performance, it can undermine certain aspects of the learning needed for later, more independent performance. The results of the present transfer experiment demonstrate that the effects of increasing feedback specificity on learning depended on what was to be learned,…