PBL is described as small-group collaborative learning; however, literature on how collaboration is enacted in PBL contexts is limited. A two-year ethnographic study examined the experiences and responses of Asian students to the obligations of PBL in a Western context. Participant-observation, videotape data, and video-stimulated recall…

This paper describes the development of augmented group awareness tools that take mutual user ratings of their online discussion contributions as input, aggregate these data, and visually feed these data back to the members in real time, thereby informing participants about how the group as a whole perceives their contributions. A specific group…

This research compares a behaviorally based approach for using electronic student response system (SRS) technology with a metacognitive-oriented approach to determine effects on attendance, preparation for class, and achievement. Also examined are the interaction effects of pedagogical approach with self-regulatory and motivational characteristics…

We present the results of a literature review of studies on teaching strategies for moral education in secondary schools (1995-2003). The majority of the studies focus on the "what" and "why", i.e. the objectives, of curriculum-oriented moral education. Attention to the instructional formats for enhancing the prosocial and moral development of…

Angry children need to learn positive expressions of anger, and adults need to accept the angry feelings while teaching children proper ways to express feelings. This guide for classroom use explains that there are good and bad ways to express anger. How students can communicate when angry is explored. It is important to remind students that they…

This paper introduces a multi-dimensional, multi-level framework for analyzing students' social interaction and individual action during collaborative problem solving. Crossing the dimensions of problem knowledge distribution and degree of cooperation yields six possible social interactions: piecemeal guessing, joint construction, lecture,…

This booklet on teaching social communication skills to individuals with autism discusses selection of social communication objectives, selection of learning environments, and methods of teaching social communication skills. Sample social communication objectives are presented, with a rationale, lead-up activities, teaching procedures, associated…

The purpose of this digest is to examine the meaning of the term "disposition" and to suggest the implications of dispositions for educational practice. A disposition is a tendency to exhibit frequently, consciously, and voluntarily a pattern of behavior that is directed to a broad goal. Dispositional considerations are important…

This purpose of the study was to examine music achievement of elementary general music students in relationship to teacher behaviors as measured by the Florida Performance Measurements System (FPMS), a research-based system for the evaluation of generic teacher behaviors and a Music Behavior Observation Form (MBOF), an investigator-devised form…

This research article and literature review is intended to arouse teachers' interest in the possibility of using drama as a supplementary instructional tool for enhancing their teaching as well as their students' learning. It maintains that educational drama can make students more engaged in their learning, render learning more purposeful for…

This booklet relates ways to communicate with preschoolers about such phenomena as Ninja Turtles. Ninja Turtles are likeable, fun-loving creatures that have captured the imagination of children because they have a great deal of energy, strength, and power. However, because the turtles model language and engage in violence that negatively affects…

Only through the integration of various media can the methodological principle of the "social event" be used successfully. This principle is explained, using as an example the social event "excuses." Suggestions are given regarding teacher education in the method, including use of the media. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

This paper describes and analyzes teacher conceptions of the meaning of history. Previous research points to teacher conceptions as a crucial variable guiding curriculum decisions. Data for the study were collected through survey questionnaires and interviews. Data were analyzed by content analysis of fieldnotes, frequency analysis, and cross…

This review of research literature about training in the skills of teaching indicates that change in skills can be brought about through different training methods, with different training populations, and in different training settings. This analysis of the literature was designed to assess the comparative contribution of a set of selected…

To increase teachers' sensitivity to their students' learning styles, this paper points out some behavioral characteristics displayed by many right-hemispheric children. Additionally, the distinction between children who are either "part perceivers" or "whole perceivers" is explained. Functions of brain parts as well as several remedial,…