In the Program in Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine, a unique civil liberties class has been developed for undergraduates that uses a modified socratic approach. Its goals, subject matter, methodology, and student response are described. (LBH)

To answer critics of the Bicentennial who are wary of studying too much past history and ignoring problems facing cities today, the author suggests areas which can be studies which are relevant to both the past and present. For example, major cities still experience age-old problems of fire, sanitation, traffic control, crime, and public works.…

Describes a historical approach to English that concentrates on early American literature and historical fiction culminating in a writing project based on incidents taken from local history. (Author/RK)

Describes an economics game for adult education designed to simulate the real world by setting up national economic policymaking in which participants can exercise their own judgment. Assesses some of the conclusions to be derived from the use of such a game. (MF)

Outlines changes in infrastructure that may be needed when breaking from traditional instructional methods to distance education methods. Highlights include differences in classroom presentations, including interaction; the role of the instructor and instructional support, including libraries; problems with multi-campus sites; and locus of control…

Addresses the dearth of materials in science for the learning disabled student. Suggests some teaching strategies such as a student assignment journal, the usefulness of mnemonics, and incorporating technology such as computers as much as possible. Also discusses classroom organization, assessment strategies, and how to build confidence. (AIM)

Describes an activity whose objectives are to encode and decode messages using linear functions and their inverses; to use modular arithmetic, including use of the reciprocal for simple equation solving; to analyze patterns and make and test conjectures; to communicate procedures and algorithms; and to use problem-solving strategies. (ASK)

Considers the use of technology, particularly programmable or graphics calculators and computer software, in the transition years from secondary to higher education. Discusses use of software systems like Mathematica in the extended investigative, problem solving, and modeling Common Assessment Tasks of the Victorian Certificate of Education.…

Presents the problem of points and the development of the binomial triangle, or Pascal's triangle. Examines various attempts to solve this problem to give students insight into the nature of mathematical discovery. (KHR)

Explains the process of focusing on one critical reading strategy--questioning. Notes that the teacher first modeled questioning while reading a book aloud. Concludes that as students become full participants in questioning, they understand new vocabulary, enjoy reading, and solve their problems. (PM)

Describes three inquiry-based activities designed for students to begin to understand complex environmental relationships in their own backyard. Includes investigations of ants, which allow students to establish a baseline survey of ant fauna, test the importance of ants in nutrient cycling and soil structure maintenances, and increase student…

Describes the results of a controlled experiment that tested the effectiveness of Lord's teaching model in: (a) helping students achieve better grades on standard midterm exams; (b) developing higher level thinking skills; and (c) modifying attitudes towards biology at a large urban university. (Author/SOE)

Proposes an alternative strategy for teaching basic statistics to prospective and practicing school principals. A basic statistics course should emphasize exploratory data analysis, graphics, and report writing; illustrate statistical concepts using real-world data; stress descriptive statistical methods; and require students to learn all three…

The role of executive control in the revising difficulties of 12 fifth and sixth graders with writing and learning problems was studied. Procedural support made revising easier for participating students, but their difficulties were not due solely to difficulties with executive control. Implications for instruction are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses a methods kit for interactive problem-solving exercises in engineering education as well as a methodology for intelligent evaluation of solutions. The quality of a system teaching logistics thinking can be improved using artificial intelligence. Embedding a rule-based diagnosis module that evaluates the student's knowledge actively…