In this paper, the author considers the correlation between the construct of teacher identity and pedagogical choice, with specific reference to secondary social studies teachers and their use of primary sources in the classroom. After a brief review of the benefits and challenges of using primary sources in the classroom, the author concludes…

Discusses the rapid increase in interest in biotechnology. Emphasizes the implications for inservice training of teachers. Describes a means of producing a modular course which may be flexibly used for inservice work. Focuses on improving the background knowledge of teachers, giving relevant practice experience and considering various teaching…

Adult educators concerned with inclusiveness and social justice are addressing issues related to students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered (GLBT). Although research in mainstream adult education and published adult education materials that include GLBT issues and concerns are scarce, more resources have appeared in the last few…

Maintains that efforts to initiate classroom discussions of controversial topics often provoke uncomfortable silence. Describes a classroom exercise that encourages students to analyze from a sociological perspective classroom dynamics that make discussion difficult. (CFR)

Contends that interest in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has led to an increase in the number of sociology courses on the topic. Describes course content, instructional materials, and class activities used in a college course titled "AIDS and Society." Includes two appendices with AIDS "riddles" and answers. (CFR)

The teaching of evolutionary theory has historically been problematic, often times marred with legal and moral battles. In recent years, state boards of education have prohibited or somehow compromised the role of evolutionary theory in school science. Consistent with the diversity of beliefs in contemporary society, preservice science teachers…

Since 2000, the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) at the University of Michigan (UM) has presented an educational theatre program for the professional development of faculty and graduate student instructors. Through the medium of interactive theatre, faculty can experience the sort of "second chance" described in the presented…

Drawing on contemporary research literature, recently developed curriculum guides, and blue-ribbon reports, this digest reviews 10 contemporary trends in K-12 social studies in the United States. Trends are as follows: (1) History, history, and more history; (2) More geography, too; (3) Using literature to teach social studies; (4) Focus on the…

Traditional psychological theories are designed, in large part, to explain the behavior of white males, viewing female behavior as deviant or deficient, or ignoring it altogether. While special undergraduate topics courses, such as those on the psychology of women, address this problem in part, many institutions cannot afford to offer them. In…

Drawing from research, this book examines the current state of moral education, and asks how schools can foster the moral development of children. Following a preface, the book is divided into three parts. The first part is entitled "Educating for Values and Character" and contains four chapters: (1) The Case for Values Education; (2)…

This paper explores questions about why high school English teachers do and do not teach works that they consider to be controversial. It examines the barriers, both internal and external, that these teachers experience and how they perceive the barriers. The teachers were nine participants in a summer university seminar for teachers which focused…

While censorship pressures emanate from all points on the political spectrum at different times, the current censorship movement comes mostly from political conservatives. Censorship efforts by the Reagan administration include barring entry of foreign speakers whose views do not coincide with those of the administration, inhibiting the free flow…

One of the main objectives in health education in the New Zealand national curriculum is that students should be helped to take responsibility for their own health. However, most decisions about health programmes in primary schools are made by adults. This paper reports findings from a study which sought the views of primary children about their…

The usefulness of microcomputers for teaching social science research methods has been the subject of numerous articles. This article describes how microcomputers can be used to teach public policy content, particularly topics involving controversial issues. The discussion is organized into four sections. Section 1, "Four Important Elements,"…

A brief introduction to futures education, an annotated listing of resources, and three ready-to-use student activities are provided. The introduction discusses the benefits of futures education; for example, it encourages students to make responsible decisions about the future. Next, it lists a variety of techniques developed by futurists to…