When elementary students collaborate in active learning projects that integrate the social studies they greatly advance their literacy skills and civic awareness. They can improve their analysis and ability to solve social problems by using reading and writing to construct knowledge about historical events. In the lessons described in this…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of the active learning models that supports flexibility and creativity in learning, and takes individual differences into consideration. The basic principle of PBL is to make students come face-to-face with conditions that could be similar to real ones in their professions. This objective is accomplished by…

In the past two years, three graduate students and a senior faculty member have co-taught a participatory action research (PAR) course to undergraduate and graduate students. In this article the co-teachers advocate a set of pedagogical principles and practices in a PAR-oriented classroom that establishes congruency with community PAR projects in…

The results of a college collaborative learning curriculum in Taiwan indicated satisfaction with the collaborative project resulting from familiarity with group members. Students asked more questions and they expressed more in class. The behaviors of feeling respected by group members, learning about self-expression and diverse opinions, as well…

In order to promote successful distance education techniques, the University of Minnesota developed a training program to prepare faculty to teach via their instructional television (ITV) delivery system. The need for specific areas of faculty development were assessed through a survey of current practitioners, as well as a content analysis of…

A project is an in-depth study of a particular topic that one or more children undertake, and consists of exploring the topic or theme such as "building a house" over a period of days or weeks. This book introduces the project approach and suggests applications and examples of this approach in action. Chapters are: (1) "Profile of…

This book provides a framework for offering students ways to share information with a real audience and is intended to assist teachers in operating hypermedia software and in using instructional strategies and learning environments that provide opportunities for student collaboration. The curriculum ideas presented in this book have been developed…

This book, developed for adult educators who teach or tutor reading in General Educational Development (GED) classrooms and for teacher trainers, contains 18 fact sheets on learning and thinking, each about 10 pages long. The following fact sheets are included: (1) Literature Is Not Science; (2) Making Connections; (3) Mental Models; (4) Thinking…

Rural schools perceive small size, geographic isolation, and sparse resources as limiting factors in meeting new science standards. A study of an integrated curriculum in a rural middle-level program found that this model, based on Beane's integrative curriculum planning strategies, had no trouble meeting the national life-science curriculum…

Presents techniques to use in stimulating interest and effective learning outcomes in large classes, based on experiences at California State University, Los Angeles. Topics include active learning; collaborative learning; interactive learning; and use of the Web for student motivation and engaging in in-class discussions. (Author/LRW)

Challenges citizenship educators to be more cognizant of the social and communitarian aspects of democratic citizenship. Explores engagement with children's literature and development of a classroom creed as two ways to actively engage children in citizenship roles. Includes an interview with a participating teacher. (MJP)

Stresses the importance of experiential educators being prepared to teach environmental education to students in specific contexts. A model for urban African American students includes the introduction and selection of a relevant local environmental issue; teaching strategies to investigate the issue; and techniques for initiating environmental…

A Nebraska high school art teacher who wanted to change from dictator to facilitator suggested that his class study local barns. Students found an old round barn, involved other classes, and helped found a nonprofit organization that coordinated a successful community-wide restoration effort. (TD)

Discusses the implementation of a student-designed integrative curriculum taught by team teachers in a middle school classroom. Considers the role of computer technology in organizing the curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Describes the process of engaging students, encouraging them to develop their curriculum, and selecting and completing…

In this interview, Alaska's statewide trainer in project-based learning recommends that teachers plan projects by identifying the desired results, determining acceptable evidence, then planning the learning experience. Project-based learning encourages teacher collaboration and engages students so that learning becomes relevant. Teachers should…