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…

Summarizes the important workshops of the 1996 Language Teachers Association of the Northern Territory, Australia. One workshop suggests that every individual possesses a unique blend of seven intelligences. Three others focus on catering to a range of learners through the provision of multimedia tasks, by self-directed learning and through…

Use of problem-based learning in a large upper-division general education class at McMaster University (Canada) provides opportunities for students to identify and practice skills for inquiry into societal problems and solutions. Classroom techniques and processes preserve the essence of problem-based learning despite the fact that the class is…

Summarizes a workshop exploring quality in education and training. Describes a role-playing exercise in which small groups of teacher participants planned and delivered a short teaching and learning session, observed and reported on the planning process and differences in learner and teacher expectations, and derived a list of points to ensure…

An Oregon school district implemented an approach to reading that goes beyond instruction to prevention. Starting in kindergarten, the model features regular assessment, direct instruction, small-group instruction, and training for all teachers and assistants. At-risk kindergartners get extra reading instruction. Today, only 2 percent of kids…

Twenty-eight studies on instruction in natural environments with children with disabilities were examined from an effective teaching perspective. Results indicate that more powerful and uniform effects with instruction in natural environments may be produced by adapting some practices and principles of effective group instruction, including…

This article reflects on a review of 28 studies on instruction in natural environments with children with disabilities that indicated instruction in natural environments may benefit from adapting some practices and principles of effective group instruction. Discusses using milieu teaching for language development in preschool children. (CR)

Describes a paraphrasing technique from a methodology called Teaching for Thinking as a means to promote more effective discussion in small group sessions. A paraphrase that highlights assumptions or that provides an interpretation of a student's statement encourages students to think beyond what they have said. Critiques sample teacher responses…

A case study investigated how best to support a 4-year-old with Down syndrome in numeracy instruction. The student demonstrated less inappropriate behavior in a whole class setting, in comparison to individual and group settings. However, he was more successful in his independent attempts at tasks in individual and group settings. (Contains…

Describes the development of an elective module for final-year undergraduate primary school student teachers becoming specialists in science. Explains how the introduction of the Patchwork Text assignment format made it possible to exploit more fully the advantages of collaborative learning by students in small groups. (Author/AEF)

Discussion of the use of computers in education focuses on ways to teach with limited computer resources. Learning processes with computers are described, the teacher-student relationship is examined, and examples of instruction using only one computer are given, including simulation programs in physics and the use of spreadsheets in mathematics.…

Emphasizes that teachers of adult second language learners who are used to developing concepts in a subject area alone must adjust their teaching to include the development of language, culture, and prior experience differences. Presents activities using the newspaper to teach vocabulary, pronouns, possessive pronouns, and noun plurals. (RS)

Examines a traditional group discussion course redesigned to operate via computer-mediated communication. Finds more frequent student contact with instructors, high level of course approval by students, and group output that equaled or excelled that of traditionally taught courses. (MS)

Presents two models of group decision making that integrate mathematical, multicriteria models with behavioral problem-solving concepts. The results of an empirical test that used the Business Management Laboratory simulation game are reported, and the performance of the two integrated models is compared with the performance of a nonintegrated…

Discusses using the geologic history of the Paleozoic era for presentations. Describes methodology involved including data collection, summarizing and presentations. Notes the approach has received an enthusiastic response from students and is a rewarding change from the traditional lecture format. (Author/MVL)