Addresses the need for teachers in socioeconomically disadvantaged schools to change classroom practice. Examines the disparity between home and school environments, using critical social theory. Describes curriculum negotiation as an active, relevant process, focusing on creating classroom environments that empower students. Discusses the skills…

Describes an instructional unit in which students developed a series of mock trials based on legal issues in popular fairy tales. Asserts that meaningful learning takes place when children's activities in schools involve real-life experiences. Provides a list of 19 legal issues found in fairy tales. (CFR)

Describes policies and practices found in each of the participant countries in the Second International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement Science Study that could foster development of practical laboratory process skills. Topics include (1) science curriculum; (2) science teacher; (3) science facilities; and (4) learning by…

Considers the gap between theory and practice in social studies education. Postulates this gap results from teachers utilizing critical thinking as a classroom strategy rather than committing to it as an ethic. Examines seven principles to illustrate critical thinking as a teaching ethic. Urges professors to embody this ethic in their teaching to…

This chapter argues that liberal learning can be transformative and foster students' intellectual and ethical development only if we consider its development underpinnings and pedagogic strategies that illustrate that the skills of academic inquiry are the skills of personal development. (Contains 1 note.)

To undertake rigorous research in biology and ecology, students must be able to pose testable hypotheses, design decisive studies, and analyse results using suitable statistics. Yet, few biology students excel in topics involving statistics and most attempt to evade optional courses in research methods. Over the last few years, we have developed…

The literature on the extent to which knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in one area transfer to another was reviewed for the purpose of identifying issues that policymakers and providers of vocational education should consider when planning programs to prepare students for further education and life. The review focused on the following…

This final report describes the Case Method of Instruction (CMI) Project, a project to develop, field test, and disseminate training materials to facilitate the use of the Case Method of Instruction by inservice and preservice instructors in developmental disabilities. CMI project activities focused on developing a collection of case stories and…

Texts of conference papers and summaries of colloquia on computers and second language learning are presented, including: "Computers, Language Learning, and the Four Skills" (summary of a session with Steve McGuire, Albert Dudley, Patricia Thornton, Paul Jaquith, Jay Lundelius, Steve Tripp); "Creating Your Own Software--The Easy Way" (Steve…

This collection of papers, the fourth in an annual series, presents views of members of the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education on faculty, instructional, and institutional development. Papers and authors are as follows: "The Kahuna as Professional and Organizational Development Specialists" (Susanne Whitcomb…

This text, designed for both preservice and inservice educators, promotes critical thinking and problem solving across the curriculum. Chapter 1 presents information from personal observations and national studies to support the conclusion that educators need to spend more time creating environments that foster thoughtfulness. Chapter 2 defines…

This study evaluated the computer skills and learning expectations of students in an introductory course at a regional university in the southeastern United States. A survey was administered to 595 students enrolled in sections of the Introduction to Computer Information Systems (CIS) course. The survey instrument charted such things as major and…

This instructor's guide was used to help instructors present a course in test-taking skills and five areas that are tested in a standardized test used for apprenticeship screening at many manufacturing companies. The course description lists target audience, general objective, and typical results observed. The rationale for the whole language…

This paper presents a rationale for teaching higher level thinking skills to students with special needs, including those with mild mental handicaps and learning disabilities. It briefly reviews the literature on teaching such skills, stressing that thinking skills can be taught through specific teaching methods such as a four-step method…

This collection of articles is assembled from a variety of sources and contributors that together form a statewide network of volunteer programs teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to refugees. The articles are divided into the following sections: (1) teaching tips; (2) "talk time" (concerning a weekly conversation session); (3)…