This conference presentation begins with an outline of the assumptions involved in a theoretical model for the teaching of creatively gifted young children. The assumptions include: (1) creativity is continuous, not dichotomous; (2) creativity is a dynamic, interactive, and multidimensional process; (3) creativity may encompass intentionality but…

When critical thinking is conceptualized as mindful learning, the focus is on the educational experiences or actual academic tasks designed to engage students in active learning. Academic tasks are sets of specifications for learning activities that provide the framework for curricular content. The academic tasks are designed by teachers and…

For those who espouse critical thinking as an educational ideal, the issue of race prejudice should be addressed as an obvious and pernicious example of uncritical thinking because to hold racially prejudiced beliefs is to believe without being appropriately moved by reason. This paper attempts to ascertain how and where critical thinking can come…

This position statement for administrators, teachers, providers, and caregivers for young children discusses developmentally appropriate guidance techniques for children from birth to 8 years of age. The seven principles discussed are: (1) Children are in the process of learning acceptable behavior; (2) An effective guidance approach is preventive…

The importance of following prescribed principles in the implementation of an effective law-related education (LRE) program is emphasized. Based on research findings that law-related education is a delinquency-prevention technique, the fact sheet lists six prescriptions for providing effective law-related education programs: (1) the use of…

Documents produced for three separate conferences that were convened to discuss the aims and methods of English instruction in the past century demonstrate the pedagogical shift from a "formal" concept of literacy to a more functional one. An 1896 conference at Harvard University reviewed secondary school and college English instruction during the…

Based on Piaget's theory, this book discusses the educational value of group games for the young child's social and intellectual development, suggesting ways to select or modify both new and familiar games to make them more appropriate for children's learning. Part 1 of the book provides a theoretical introduction to what is meant by good group…

This study sought to describe fully the historical development of the Finnish folk high school movement, to identify the goals and principles of present provincial folk high schools and how they are expressed in the practice of adult education, and to investigate how such schools use goals and principles stressed by the Bureau of Studies in Adult…

Researchers in the field of instruction are exploring the theory that different instructional procedures may be used for students with varying aptitudes so as to individualize teaching, so-called aptitude-treatment interactions (ATI's). This paper reviews pertinent literature, then seeks to develop theoretical models for the generation of…

Maintains that the literature curriculum should reflect our pluralist society, not a canonical tradition. Suggests pairing canonical works with works instantiating pluralism. Describes a unit on the novel for a ninth grade honors class and the use of an "adolescent problem novel" in a sophomore intermediate class. (SR)

In a continuing effort to improve the music education of students in beginning stages, there is a need for the review of teaching techniques that motivate student learning behaviors. Historically, music methods actively engaged students in the music-making process. The approaches of Dalcroze, Orff, Suzuki, Kodaly, and Gordon continue that…

An instructional systems approach to learning draws on principles of instructional design and development but also draws from theories such as behaviorism, information processing, cognitive theory, adult education, and systems theory among others. This paper focuses on how instructional designers can benefit from awareness of different adult…

Ten faculty from different disciplines at George Washington University (D.C.) documented their teaching behaviors and ideas in an interactive multimedia format that focused on general philosophy/vision of teaching; characteristics of excellent teachers; teaching strategies/techniques employed; motivating students; assessing teaching effectiveness;…

A high school teacher in rural Georgia who has used the 11 Foxfire Core Practices for seven years describes how they have helped her enable students to guide their own learning and think for themselves. Her classes' high scores on state writing tests and Spanish competitions are further testimony to the viability of the practices. (TD)

Sixth and seventh grade students (n=18) with mild to moderate learning disabilities (LD) were taught social studies by using instructional sequence techniques. Results found LD students performed significantly better when these techniques (breaking new material into small units of information and providing frequent student practice and teacher…