To help in administering larger classes, the Teacher Information Processing System calls for course planning to include organizing the content into discrete units, developing behavioral learning objectives and frequent surveying of the students' progress in achieving objectives. (LBH)

Describes the group-building process used in the Prairie Writing Project programs. Provides specific guidelines for implementing group work in inservice teacher workshops and in the classroom. Claims that preparatory group-building techniques promote more effective group work. (MM)

Discussion of how to report writing skills highlights a computer program designed to provide feedback on the communicative effectiveness of students' written reports; presents an example of the typical feedback format which the program provides; and reviews students' reactions to computer assisted feedback. (MBR)

Describes the methodology adopted in the creation of one of a variety of games created for use in specific business courses at Leeds Polytechnic Business School (England), including constraints under which it was constructed, its initial implementation, and its established use. The game focused on pricing decisions in a retail establishment. (MBR)

Describes the large-class BIJOU teaching support system developed at University of California-Berkeley to facilitate recordkeeping and communication with support staff. Reasons why large classes exist, organizational elements, and teaching support systems requirements are reviewed. Tasks supported by the BIJOU saystem, costs, and possible…

Describes the characteristics and behavior of three kinds of peer groups in the composition classroom. Discusses some of the difficulties these groups encounter in their critiquing, and some suggestions for improving the dynamics of the less successful groups. (HTH)

Describes a series of computer programs that use simulation and gaming techniques to present the basic principles of the central dogma of molecular genetics, mutation, and the genetic code. A history of discoveries in molecular biology is presented and the evolution of these computer assisted instructional programs is described. (MBR)

One college professor's case history and candid appraisal of an experiment in non-directed learning is offered that emphasizes the characteristics of the student-teacher relationship and classroom dynamics. (Editor/LBH)

"The Achiever" is published semi-monthly during the school year for parents and community leaders. Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Spellings: New 'Commonsense' Approach to Implementing 'NCLB'"; (2) "The Variable…

Games are motivating instructional resources that provide opportunities to learn and practice map, group work, and communication skills. Using the designs of popular commercial, folk, or media games, teachers can create games for their classroom that support geographic education. Many games can be used by students on their own before and during…

This document presents the proceedings of a February 2002 policy forum on whole class reading strategies for students with disabilities. The forum was convened in conjunction with the last of three satellite teleconferences on reading instruction. The forum focused on identifying challenges of using whole class strategies with students with…

Intended as a resource for any teacher who wants to include explicit phonemic awareness instruction in an early reading program, this book provides three separate sets of phonemic awareness lessons, complete with scripted directions, reproducible learning materials, and assessment tools. Incorporating a variety of activities, each set of lessons…

The use of advanced learning technologies enables various new forms of collaborative learning and group assessment. This paper outlines a radically different model of student assessment to that traditionally used in most universities and other educational institutions. The model is particularly suited to those using, or seeking to use,…

This report describes a program for using explicit instruction of reading strategies through the implementation of guided reading groups to improve student comprehension. The targeted population consisted of elementary school students in growing, middle class communities, located in northern Illinois. Evidence for the existence of a deficiency of…

A design rationale for introducing electronic equipment (a group response system) for student interaction in lecture theaters is presented, linking the instructional design to theory. The effectiveness of the equipment for learning depends mostly on what pedagogic method is employed. Various alternative types are introduced, including: assessment;…