Described is a case study used in an introductory college biology course that provides a basis for generating debate on an issue concerning the regulation of controversial food additives and prescription drugs. The case study contained within this article deals with drug screening, specifically with information related to thalidomide. (CS)

Techniques for initiating good discussion in class include: examining goals and values, noting concrete images in text, generating questions among students, finding illustrative quotations, small group discussion, generating truth statements, forced debates, role playing, non-structured scene-setting, and eliciting opinoins of the text. (MSE)

Cites numerous examples used by a pro-evolutionist in debate with the creationists associated with the Institute for Creation Research and the Creation Research Society. (CS)

Presents a debate on the future of Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in chemistry at nondoctoral institutions, which occurred at a regional conference held at Eastern Michigan University. (HM)

Briefly discusses some of the recent developments in the on-going controversy concerning pornography and the arts. Argues that much of the mainstream press coverage merely sensationalizes incidents (e.g., "Time" magazine's cover story on cyberporn and the furor over Calvin Klein advertisements) and encourages polarized opinions. (MJP)

Reflects on previous articles in the same journal that address preservice teacher education for special education teachers. The conflicting views, disagreements about instructional strategies, and increasingly broad views of how special education interfaces with other education enterprises, are believed to distract from core principles of the…

Comments on previous articles in the same journal that address preservice teacher education for special educators. The differing viewpoints are seen as potential strengths that will contribute to the growth of special education as it moves toward the future. Urges support of diverse viewpoints. (CR)

Examines the outcomes of a two-year trial of computer-mediated conferencing (CMC) conducted at a British university during the final-year undergraduate course in glacial and periglacial geomorphology. Discusses the issues related to CMC and describes the experience over the last two years of using CMC conferencing. (CMK)

Suggests 12 strategies for helping students read social studies material with greater comprehension and increased creative interaction with text. Strategies include drama games, simulations, debates, oral histories, current events, and cross age teaching. (LS)

Suggests energy-related activities that represent different instructional approaches and can be adapted for different age levels. Includes library research, debates, role playing, games, and mock trials. Offers questions to be used in connection with the activities. Examines the future of energy use and international inequality of use. (DK)

Suggests that professors who want to increase students' participation and foster student involvement should employ panel debates in their classes. Outlines the background readings and organization steps required to set up a panel debate. Reviews literature relating to the use of student debates in sociology instruction. (DSK)

Examines the reasons for the death penalty, the reasons why the death penalty attracts so much attention, whether the death penalty is applied consistently, and the evidence that the application of the death penalty may be racially biased. Provides an accompanying article on "Teaching Ideas" by Ronald A. Banaszak. (CMK)

Reports the findings of a national survey of high school debaters regarding their perceptions of the efficacy of debate participation. Concludes that the high school debaters reported advantages similar to those cited by collegiate debaters and that high school debaters were more concerned about perceived negative stigma associated with debate…

In this article, the author describes a technique she uses to achieve an autonomous student discussion. The technique involves setting up highly structured debates, whose content is informed by coherent sets of primary sources and whose form models one aspect of how professional historians work. Students are required to read about twenty to…

"Informal Forum," grounded in constructivism has been developed to foster active learning and deep understanding. Learning is an interdependent process, and is most effective when students construct their own meaning of knowledge. If one believes in the value of constructivist learning, it is important to teach how we preach in higher education.…