There need be no quarrel between those who believe that writing comes primarily from an individual's discovery of selfhood and those who believe that writing is primarily the result of social interaction. Two theoretical perspectives are helpful in considering this issue. The first, presented by D. W. Winnicott, suggests that an infant learns…

For several decades there has been a general concern that the level of research funding for academic instrumentation was not sufficient to keep pace with the requirements of cutting edge research. To develop the factual trend data necessary to understand the depth of the problems in academia and thus provide an adequate response to these concerns,…

Reflecting on Jean-Francois Lyotard's work "The Postmodern Condition" may provide those who work in the writing center with additional ideas about how to make writing centers the next best thing in composition instruction. Lyotard offers a way to argue against the affirmation of traditional values and characteristics in writing (i.e.,…

This guidebook, a comprehensive national directory of federal offices, programs, and facilities supporting K-12 education in mathematics and science, was designed to inform educators and the general public about federally-supported resources in these subjects and to increase access to them. This book contains information on federal offices and…

Understanding how people choose their work and educational environments and the dynamics that lead to satisfaction in these environments is critical to optimizing productivity and self actualization. The Strong Interest Inventory and the Social Skills Inventory were administered to 113 undergraduates to test the hypothesis that social types…

The emotional transitions basic writers have to make when they enter the academic setting can be overwhelming. Basic writers tend to have a host of problems and obstacles to overcome, not the least of which are their own anxieties. One way to alleviate some of the anxieties and insecurities is through a studio or workshop course staffed with…

Describes an out-of-doors, partially unstructured experiment to determine the coefficient of friction for a moving car. Presents the equation which relates the coefficient of friction to initial velocity, distance, and time and gives sample computed values as a function of initial speed and tire pressure. (GS)

Describes an analog electronic simulator for the motion of an object projected horizontally in a vertical acceleration field. The device features adjustable values for the horizontal speeds and "gravity." Trajectories are displayed on an oscilloscope. (Author/CP)

Describes the macroscopic process of the swelling of clay by adding water, and the corresponding microscopic process of water molecules entering the spacings between clay crystals. Discusses how the Bragg equation can be used together with other physical data to calculate these spacings. (MLH)

Describes an undergraduate physical chemistry experiment in which a low cost spectrofluorimeter is used to carry out elementary emission measurements on a transition metal complex. The students measure uncorrected emission and excitation spectra, and determine the rate constant for an exceedingly fast bimolecular reaction, the deactivation of an…

Problems in the experimental laboratory in scientific research are discussed and solutions are proposed for the problem of conflicts between the experimental model and reality. As a possible beginning for change, an apparatus is suggested to replace the tachistoscope. (SCC)

An undergraduate experiment is described which employs a relaxation method for the measurement of the thermal conductivity and specific heat of a metallic sample in a temperature range of 0-100 degrees centigrade. (Author/CP)