Presents a case study that used mystery stories to help English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students develop their linguistic competence and reading skills. Instruction focuses on the symbolism used in both stories and the characterization of the major protagonists with the view to encourage discussion among students. Results suggest that literary…

Reviews the uses of computer technology for students with behavior disorders. Three categories of applications are discussed: (1) computerized instruction to enhance academic skills or achievement; (2) computers used as reinforcers to modify behavior; and (3) the use of computers to improve social skills or interpersonal deficits. (14 references)…

Evaluates college students' attitudes concerning their high school English and journalism courses and their college-level journalism instruction. Reports students' belief that high school journalism provided their best training in many of the 29 language arts competencies studied. (SG)

Studied whether social skills intervention would be more effective when delivered in presence of high-social-status (HS) students in grades two, three, and four. Assigned 35 low-social-status students to intervention with HS peers, without HS peers, or no intervention. Evaluations of peer ratings, social problem solving, and teacher ratings…

Two field experiments were conducted to compare the effects of a cooperative learning group method to a whole-class method on acquisition of selected social-environmental studies problem-solving skills by 342 fourth graders. Both methods outperformed the control, but the cooperative strategy was less effective than was the whole-class method. (TJH)

A total communication program was introduced to enhance the communication skills of 8 students, age 11-14, with severe and moderate retardation. The method gradually developed into a successful introductory reading program, with instruction focused on sight vocabulary and comprehension skills. (JDD)

Investigates the effectiveness of the Char-L Intensive Phonics program within a six-week summer tutorial program for students with learning problems. Finds significant gains in reading for most students and improved word attack skills for all students completing academic tasks requiring reading. (KEH)

The Group-Oriented Adapted Levels System teaches students with behavior disorders the skills needed for being members of a successfully functioning peer group, while providing the classroom teacher with an effective classroom management approach. Student behaviors are mediated by peers; students work toward a common goal; and opportunities are…

Discusses the Chinese attitude toward child development and socialization. Offers general comments concerning child rearing. Examines the Chinese emphasis upon performance in the arts. Notes that the Chinese classroom is oriented toward tradition and hierarchy. Compares the differing U.S. and Chinese approaches to basic skills and creativity. (KO)

One teacher's experience using student-written texts as a basis for testing other students has become a good way of integrating the four language skills in a natural progression and in pinpointing students' language weaknesses. Using students' texts has also reinforced the importance of choosing visual materials carefully. (MSE)

This article describes Project IDEA's origins as a program of the Peace Corps and the assistance it received from the Montana State University Theatre of Silence. In Bohol, Philippines, IDEA has developed a deaf community, a special/vocational education program, and job skills through employment in a cafe and bamboo rake factory. (Author/PB)

Provides a critical review of recent research in metacognition and presents recommendations for assessing and improving metacognitive skills in trainees. Topics discussed include self-regulatory skills; training methods for problem solving; attention allocation; transfer of training; and cognitive-based techniques for task analysis and…

Teachers' actions are thought to produce certain types of student thinking. To devise effective inservice programs, educators must understand four learning principles and five thinking dimensions enabling students to develop positive learning attitudes and acquire, integrate, and extend their knowledge. A new "curriculum" of preservice…

Discusses ways in which children's language arts skills, cognitive knowledge, and emotional growth are developed when international children's literature is used in the teaching of a content area. A description of a unit of study includes activities and books that might be used in the study of nocturnal animals. (NH)

Differences in computer use, attitude, and efficacy between female and male college freshmen were studied. It was found that when computer training was integrated into classroom work, sex differences in attitude and use declined. Unstructured, voluntary exposure to computers, however, elicited responses suggesting opposing mechanisms for females…