It is viable to argue that literacy can be construed as a set of culturally-based discursive practices rather than as merely a set of cognitive skills. This idea has special relevance for students with learning disabilities, who often struggle with more traditional, individually-based curricular approaches. This study explored the ways in which an…

With sections on using the Web to plan and structure courses, conduct research, and publish student work, as well as a reference essay that reviews Web sites for educators and students, this book reveals the rich variety of ways in which this technology can be used by English and language arts teachers at all levels. The 20 essays in the book…

These two newsletters of The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT) present articles concerned with research on the education of gifted and talented students. The articles are: "NRC/GT: Research Should Inform Practice" (E. Jean Gubbins); "Building a Bridge: A Combined Effort between Gifted and Bilingual Education" (Valentina…

The use of the World Wide Web for promoting learning provides great potential for both students and faculty. Using both synchronous and asynchronous interactions permits the professors and the students to maximize their time together and utilize their individual learning and presentation skills in a collaborative effort that yields substantial…

A new classroom is emerging as teaching styles influence the use of instructional technology across a distance. This paper discusses interactive technology from the instructors' point of view, in the context of a course design joining Iowa State University and the University of Virginia. The course was created through the combined vision and time…

This report describes a program for improvement of student social skills to include respect for self and others, conflict resolution, and self-control. The targeted population consisted of first, fifth, and seventh graders located in northwestern Illinois. The problems of deficiencies in social skills were documented. Data were collected from…

Casual encounters in a learning environment are very useful in reinforcing previous knowledge and acquiring new knowledge. Such encounters are very common in traditional learning environments and can be used successfully in social environments in which students can discover and construct knowledge through a process of dialogue, negotiation, or…

Desktop Adventures are computer-based scenarios incorporating the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for practicing problem solving across the curriculum suitable for whole class or cooperative group instruction. Reviews problem solving steps and approaches and describes introducing, creating, and extending desktop…

Presents the steps needed to host an online collaboration project--from designing it to planning for the future. Describes the following stages essential for project success: preparing; posting project objectives and requirements; instructing and monitoring interactions; publishing the project; and evaluating. Sidebar includes Web sites and…

Describes local networking approaches that encourage student interaction and better information access for the school community, while maintaining security measures. Discusses computer-supported collaborative work, simultaneous online discussion, educator support and curriculum development, courses on the Internet, and implementation. (AEF)

Author Beverly Daniel Tatum explains that adolescents tend to self-segregate because their racially different friends are not having (or sharing) same experiences. Many white students are oblivious to racism's power and manifestations in society. During lunch or recess, students should be able to relax with friends. However, educators should…

Examines whether computer networks can empower second-language learners, focusing on three aspects: autonomy, equality, and learning skills. The article concludes that these networks, appropriately used, can empower students, and provides pedagogical suggestions for effective computer networking in the second- and foreign-language classroom. (66…

Reviews literature on second-language instruction to determine the rationale for the design and implementation of computer software in the field. Findings indicate a need for more software that engages learners in communicative task-based activities and is based on current learning theory. (118 references) (CK)

Presents information about Illinois' Father Sweeney School for the Academically Gifted Child. Discusses the school's curriculum, which includes math, French, science, language arts, social studies, and religious education. Indicates that students are taught to become responsible for their own learning. Describes other school activities, including…

This study examined how well the positive effects of cooperative learning would generalize to private schools, comparing mathematics achievement, friendship, attitude toward mathematics, and self-concept outcomes of students taught with and without cooperative learning. Significant increases in mathematics achievement surfaced for cooperative…