Students in general and science-oriented curriculum courses used concept mapping as the basis for developing lesson plans after having first learned the technique through a "fast-track" approach developed by the author. Resulting lesson plans were high in quality with few, if any, sequencing errors. (LZ)

Examines three anecdotal cases of the teaching of evolution theory in an exploration of the best approaches for teaching about evolution. Three instructional options are presented: (1) readings in natural history, (2) commercially prepared activities, and (3) the use of small-group (peer) discussions. (LZ)

Contends that academic departments have come under increasing scrutiny in terms of the scope of curriculum and teaching methods. Describes a senior undergraduate economics course in which the primary objective was to give students opportunities to combine theoretical training with quantitative skills and apply them to real-world problems. (CFR)

Discusses the teaching of French language, literature, and culture in light of the experiences and observations of Gustave Lanson, a professor of French at the University of Paris who taught as a visiting professor at Columbia University in 1911. It is argued that French studies as a discipline needs to emphasize the pluralistic, multicultural…

Examines the research on the central role of decoding in reading, concluding that the position that whole language proponents take in equating learning to read with learning to talk and their reduction of decoding to an incidental place in the curriculum are wrong. The authors argue for a balanced approach to reading instruction. (GR)

Discusses why a broad and pluralistic conception of culture and cultural group will work to the advantage of multicultural teacher educators, particularly those who make use of some form of ethnic and cultural self-disclosure in their courses. The essay examines ethnic and cultural self-disclosure and provides examples of its use in the author's…

Describes a college psychology course titled "The Power of Myth," which is interdisciplinary and uses collaborative learning techniques. Maintains that students reported increased curiosity about the world and improved abilities to work in groups. (CFR)

Provides direction for developing appropriate, meaningful social studies instruction for the middle school. Identifies characteristics of early adolescents that have a direct relationship to curriculum design and the selection of appropriate social studies instruction strategies. Offers National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)…

Discusses project HI-SITE, Historical Inquiry Strategies in Teacher Education. Explains that the project is designed to present an instructional model providing choices for learning experiences involving primary evidence for preservice teachers. Describes several experimental options including investigation or field study of a site, an…

Discussed are the possible uses of spreadsheets in the undergraduate curriculum in chemical engineering classes. The advantages and flexibility of spreadsheets, spreadsheet instruction, graphing capabilities, assignment examples, and conclusions are described. (KR)

Described is a curriculum development project aimed at stimulating girls' interest in physics with a view to encouraging more girls to pursue the subject further. Included are the background information, implementation, and implications for science teaching. (KR)

The current imbalance between teaching basic skills and higher order skills can be addressed by redesigning teaching into two specialized areas. Using the principal-agent model and applying ideas from organization theory, the advantages of restructuring teaching to increase emphasis on problem-solving and higher order skills are discussed. (SLD)

Reviews criticism of elementary social studies textbooks, focusing on how the written text, the pictures, and graphics often seem unrelated. Asserts that the inclusion and use of literature selections in K-3 social studies textbooks is a newly emerging strategy. (CFR)

Contends social studies is an exciting, relevant aspect of the curriculum, but it is often presented in a mundane and dated fashion. Reviews research on instructional processes and recommends teaching generalizations based on concepts grounded in fact. (CFR)

Describes how New York University developed educational experiences about gay and lesbian persons for college students; includes the philosophy behind the curriculum, developmental processes, course development, student profiles and course evaluation, theoretical approaches to course content, and teaching strategies. (Author/SM)