Xavier University of Louisiana decided "not to follow the traditional path" and brought about a rich and mutually fulfilling relationship with its community. (Editor)

Problems in high schools have less to do with the relationships of students with their teachers than with the inadequacy of faculty-administrator relationships. This paper focuses on this problem and on the structural basis out of which these relationships develop. (Author/RK)

Describes the development of product design engineering, a successful student-centered interdisciplinary elective that blends critical thinking with curriculum integration, authentic assessment, practical problem solving, and hands-on engagement in a Virginia high school. The goal is to analyze the meaning of engineering as a profession and…

The problem-centered learning model for gifted students is described and applied to development of learning experiences that are organized around exploration of past, present, and future perspectives of trends, problems, events, and phenomena in the social sciences. Ways to use problem-centered learning in regular classrooms, special programs for…

To design effective academic health centers for the future, medical leaders must define the competencies needed by tomorrow's physicians, including the ability to manage the uncertainty associated with creating clinical models and the uncertainty associated with managing care delivery. Currently, focus is on the former, but there is increasing…

Presents the text of a message sent to Susan Gerofsky by Robert Thomas after reading her article on a linguistic and narrative view of word problems in mathematics education. Gerofsky's response is also included. (DDR)

Explores the issue of how to make chemistry more personally meaningful to students who have no interest in continuing the study of science. Describes two projects that each have an interview, research, and presentation format. (DDR)

Describes a New Zealand workshop for 10 gifted children (ages 10-11) that used computers to foster innovative ideas and provide opportunities for creativity and problem solving through independent and group learning experiences. The children brainstormed about the future and designed an original "MicroWorld" using the theme…

Examines cooperative learning in youth services and adult education. Discusses characteristics of cooperative learning techniques; specific cooperative learning techniques (brainstorming, mini-lecture, roundtable technique, send-a-problem problem solving, talking chips technique, and three-step interview); and the role of the trainer. (AEF)

These activities explore classification and logical reasoning by providing students with opportunities to generate multiple answers and engage in multiple classifications of the same item. No solutions are suggested so that students will look to themselves as the mathematical authorities. Sample items for classification include birthday months,…

The real-life drama 25 years ago when Apollo 13 was rescued through a collaborative team of colleagues provides a model for changes in many public schools. In Texas, the state code specifies that site-based decision making address planning, budgeting, curriculum staffing patterns, staff development, and school organization. (MLF)

This action research study evaluated problem-based learning (PBL), traditional lecture, and a combination of PBL and lecture in an elective biochemistry course at a secondary school for gifted students. Lecture tended to wide content coverage, whereas understanding and retention was promoted by PBL. (Author/DB)

Considers the role of evolution and natural selection in the functioning of the modern human brain. Natural selection equipped humans with a mental toolbox of intuitive theories about the world which were used to master rocks, tools, plants, animals, and one another. The same toolbox is used today to master the intellectual challenges of modern…

Discusses the notion that scientific knowledge is not dependable and that knowledge is no longer valued as a part of science. Points out that this has led to approaches that aim to teach scientific methods or problem-solving skills rather than scientific knowledge. Contains 19 references. (DDR)

Examines six cases of information-seeking behaviors--initiation, selection, exploration, formulation, collection, and presentation--as undergraduate students work through class exercises using Perseus, a Greek history information database. Describes the four themes that emerged from the learners' online protocols and interactions. (AEF)