An activity simulating natural selection in which wild birds are predators, green and brown pastry "baits" are prey, and trays containing colored stones as the backgrounds is presented. Two different methods of measuring selection are used to describe the results. The materials and methods, results, and discussion are included. (KR)

Eleven demonstrations of light polarization are presented. Each includes a brief description of the apparatus and the effect demonstrated. Illustrated are strain patterns, reflection, scattering, the Faraday Effect, interference, double refraction, the polarizing microscope, and optical activity. (CW)

Ethnographic study of science lab technicians' troubleshooting suggests that they possess most of a lab's contextual knowledge and skill and play a critical role in the production of scientific knowledge. However, because contextual knowledge is less valued than formal knowledge, technicians experience status inconsistencies. (SK)

Discusses the role of talk in the writing center and the general value of conversation for writers at all levels. Considers how writing center talk raises questions about writing and institutions. Shows how such a concept of talk connects to classroom teaching. (HB)

Critiques Robert Kaplan's version of contrastive rhetoric as delineated in his 1966 diagram of five cultural traditions. Shows how subsequent contrastive rhetorical studies have eliminated many of the flaws of Kaplan's research. Provides results from a writing center pilot study that demonstrate differences in students' native language writing…

Describes an effective laboratory method for demonstrating bacterial flagella that utilizes the Proteus mirabilis organism and a special harvesting technique. Includes safety considerations for the laboratory exercise. (MDH)

Provides examples of four Daedalus Interchange transcripts from writing center staff meetings at Ball State University. Discusses goals for tutor training and rationale and benefits for choosing synchronous conferencing as a tutor-training technique. Presents survey results from tutors who participated in online tutor training, suggesting a…

Provides a neurocomputational account of knowing and learning and grounds situational cognition theory in a neurocomputational model of neuronal activity. Presents the advantages of this theoretical approach. Contains 60 references. (DDR)

Concept-map construction was tested as a means of increasing the conceptual learning of first-year, non-major college chemistry students (n=32). No significant differences between the control (essay-writing) and treatment (concept-map-constructing) groups were found on post-lab multiple-choice achievement tests. Interviews with students indicated…

Presents a biology laboratory experiment designed to examine the ability of fish to improve their foraging rate with experience. This project is appropriate for ecology and animal behavior courses as well as introductory biology courses with a component that provides students with experience in designing and conducting scientific experiments.…

Discusses opportunities available to writing centers involving four potentials for institutional refiguration: (1) institutional space; (2) knowledge production and intellectual property; (3) research paradigms and rewards; (4) and budget allocations. (NH)

Investigates effective technology-based education in the field of nursing in South Africa. Specifically describes and analyzes the results of an experiment to assess the value of using specialized hands-on equipment in nurse training and education as an addition to current computer-based training systems. (Author/WRM)

Describes experiments with electrostatics that are convenient for classroom demonstrations or laboratory activities. These experiments use a Kelvin balance and a relatively inexpensive electronic scale with 0.01-g sensitivity and essentially stationary pans. (WRM)

Gives the historical background of land grant universities and the Morrill Act (1862), wherein federal land was ceded to establish colleges which furthered agricultural and professional studies. Uses Michigan State as an example. Discusses the writing center, its peer consultancies, its publications, and its consultative teaching, which integrates…

Describes the University of Texas at Austin's undergraduate writing center and its in-progress "virtual writing center." Discusses the problems and pitfalls of writing online, such as online identity and how face to face conversation turns are arranged. Compares the advent of computer technology with the ancient Hittites' beginnings in…