The computer has become an indispensable tool for teachers. Presently, many teachers are making efforts to master needed computer application skills. This study first focused on the differences between novice and experienced users to identify possible task-oriented factors that might help novice users overcome the learning curve. Errors frequently…

The learner's role in acquiring cognitive and interpersonal skills in a first-year medical school course in neurobiology (12 students) that used a small-group, problem-based teaching method. Objectives of the study were to: (1) determine the cognitive and interpersonal skills the students believed were important; (2) evaluate how well the students…

This article describes two techniques for using debate as an instructional method with undergraduate and graduate students in a health occupations teacher education program. Faculty and students involved with the debate process enjoy the debate method and find it encourages independent study, group discussion, and leadership development. (Author)

A reply to a critique of the article "Integration of Basic Skills: The Great Deception in Elementary Social Studies" (Social Studies, Nov-Dec 1982), this article argues that reading about social studies will not teach social attitudes or problem-solving behaviors. (RM)

Designed to instruct teachers in the construction and design of their own Learning Activity Packages (LAP), this article is itself an LAP, teaching LAP design through activities and instructional objectives. Journal availability: see RC 503 504. (SB)

Contends that a building can be a visual history book. Discusses the use of architecture as a way of teaching global studies, technological change, and social studies skills. Includes four figures and suggested ancillary activities. (CFR)

The Learning through Creative Writing program was developed for students with learning and emotional disabilities in grades 6-8. The program used a pen-pal correspondence activity to develop students' abilities in communication, higher level thinking skills, geographic concepts, and social studies concepts. (JDD)

Three preservice teachers of students with severe disabilities were trained on systematic instruction skills, focusing on appropriate use of positive consequences and instructional prompts. Results indicated that immediate feedback was more effective with two student teachers and delayed feedback was more effective for the third. Teaching skills…

Research review examines whether student thought processes mediate achievement in physical education. The paper offers the mediating process paradigm to explain unexpected, inconsistent research findings on teaching and describes problems associated with measuring cognitive processes, suggesting they play an active role in student motor skill…

Compares five designs of an undergraduate ethics course at Saint Edward's University (Texas) in a 5-year study involving 318 students. Reveals the effectiveness of directly targeting and teaching in tandem the elements of moral reasoning. Bases study on Lawrence Kohlberg's moral development theory. Argues that this approach best develops moral…

Study examined the ways 117 low-socioeconomic third graders interacted during acquisition of new mathematical skills. The effects of cooperative-mastery-learning (CML) strategies on their mathematics achievement were investigated. Two experiments indicated that students exposed to CML performed better than those given more traditional instruction.…

States that elementary choral teachers should consider the administrative details and rehearsal planning necessary to manage a choir and provide an artistic musical experience for children. Focuses on rehearsal organization by discussing the methods for helping students develop good behavior habits for rehearsals and performances. (CMK)

Combines the results of action research in the high school library media center with conclusions in the professional literature to argue that systematic formal instruction in electronic search skills is necessary for awareness of library media software and competence in its use. Focuses on the why, what, where, and how of teaching electronic…

Teachers of tax law are encouraged to require students to actively examine and apply the tax code and regulations. The author's active teaching approach is described covering student accountability, use of textbooks that offer explanations, procedures used in classroom analysis, student questions, use of lengthy regulations, breadth of coverage,…

Using a cooperative learning approach with a twist, special needs students were paired with classroom teachers. Each person in each team of two developed functional word processing skills. Through the shared process, teachers and students learned more than the use of a computer program: they came to rely on one another for solutions and…