Discussion of the competence of school administrators in the use of technology focuses on the results of a survey of data processing specialists in 165 school districts that was conducted to determine the importance of various educational computer applications. It is recommended that educational applications of computers be included in preservice…

Compares two instructional strategies, prompting and direct instruction, to determine which produces dialogical reasoning in written essays concerning controversial issues. Participants were 45 sixth graders. Finds both strategies equally productive and concludes that the emphasis should be on providing thought-provoking, issues-oriented social…

Teaches race relations to college students using visual materials. Uses three films, "Gone with the Wind,""Mississippi Burning," and "The White Dawn," to illustrate how films depict history inaccurately and to help students unlearn false images. Includes questions for classroom discussion of U.S. racist culture. (NL)

Describes a method for promoting student interest and involvement in an undergraduate marriage and family course. Supplements lectures with problem-solving sessions for small groups. Uses session outcomes to encourage critical evaluation by the class. Combines the traditional scholarly approach with an interactive personal involvement. (NL)

Experiments with active and cooperative learning techniques designed to develop critical thinking and writing skills in large introductory level sociology courses. Finds debate and essay writing effectively modify students' opinions on social issues and help students develop these skills. Notes ethical issues involved in teaching critical…

A University of Texas-Houston course on ethics in the biological sciences is described. The course focuses on two central values: truthfulness and benefit to others. Issues in course development are discussed, including gaining faculty support, selecting instructors, constructing a syllabus, using cases, and reducing cultural bias in tests.…

Describes a cooperative writing project involving a college-level psychology class and a ninth-grade English class. Discusses different concepts of psychology held by the two student groups. Concludes with suggestions for improving writing skills and helping students become more authoritative writers. (CFR)

Examines the history and current issues in the use of sheltered content teaching in secondary bilingual programs. After examining key theoretical underpinnings, the article discusses how theoretical principles facilitate development of critical communicative competence and how sheltered content teaching promotes both segregation and social…

Contends that the development of professional historians in the late 1800s resulted in a conflict with teacher educators in teacher training institutions. Concludes that involving historians in precollegiate history issues in recent years has led to an improved image for secondary history teachers. (CFR)

Presents a historical overview of the educational reform movement that produced the "Guidelines for Geographic Education: Elementary and Secondary Schools" and the "Fundamental Themes of Geography." Describes the efforts that led to the identification of the five fundamental themes and their translation into ordinary language.…

Contends that teaching world studies requires breaking down cultural barriers. Describes a world studies course in which African literature is used to provide a pluralistic view of encounters between African and European civilizations. Includes descriptions and interpretations of the books used in the course. (CFR)

Describes the structure and content of a four-week minicourse on the Vietnam War at the University of Mississippi. Explains how the course raises questions about the equal distribution of the burden of war. Provides tables and charts comparing military draft and casualty statistics for African-American and white soldiers during the war. (CFR)

Describes a college level course in which computer mapping is incorporated into the geography curriculum. Discusses problems associated with using commercial mapping software in the general geography classroom. Concludes that students have reduced computer anxiety and a better understanding of geographic concepts as a result of the computer…

Describes a portion of an introductory college course in sociology that examines the role of work in socialization. States the activity's central question is, "Where does society end and my self begin?" Includes student accounts of their feelings about the activity. (CFR)

Describes the experiences of one high school class as they attempted to sort out the conflicting representations of Christopher Columbus. The students examined several textbooks and other histories. They then conducted a mock trial to determine if Columbus should be considered a criminal, a hero, or both. (MJP)