Two McMaster University (Canada) chemical engineering courses enrolling 30-50 students incorporate problem-based learning (PBL). Issues addressed in implementation included overcoming faculty and student resistance, integrating PBL methods within a predominantly conventional curriculum, developing PBL problems and objectives, and using tutorless…

Delineates four compelling reasons for placing bioethical issues, including abortion, in a curricular context. These include linking ethics and civics, preparing informed decision makers, public debate, and studying the future today. Includes activities and questions designed to provide students with a conceptual focus. (MJP)

Advocates teaching controversial issues to children, claiming that they already have some knowledge of these through their own experience and media exposure. Describes role-playing activities, including simulated small claims court and city council hearings. Provides an overview of a five-day instructional unit on violence. (MJP)

Evaluated effectiveness of a multiage learning project in terms of an assessment of classroom quality, and teacher concerns about multiage grouping and computer use in the classroom. Found that participating teachers modified their classrooms to make them more developmentally appropriate, and they increased their use of computers for their own…

The Brown University (Rhode Island) medical school curriculum content remains the same, but students must now demonstrate proficiency in relationships with patients, both real and simulated. In addition to traditional skill areas, students must demonstrate competency in effective communication, moral reasoning and ethical judgment, lifelong…

Explores the intersection of geography and politics in U.S. public policy development and connects this to several of the National Geography Standards. Discusses contemporary issues including economic interdependence, the impact of migration, resource competition, cultural values, and environmental issues. Offers suggested student activities. (MJP)

Describes many environmental education projects conducted in schools in Suffolk County, England. Projects include One World Week, which prepared students for exchange visits with Kenya by encouraging awareness of world problems, especially those of poverty and distribution of resources. Other projects were comprised of outdoor programs, recycling…

Describes a CD-ROM product that simulates introducing a freshman congressman to Washington, DC. The member is briefed on duties and responsibilities (including a historical overview) and given a tour of the Capitol. Interactive components include hiring staffers and acquiring leadership positions. Includes suggestions for integrating the product…

Provides accompanying learning activities for each of the articles in the same issue. The brief articles address a number of legal issues concerning young people including dress codes, teen smoking, curfews, restricted areas (such as the mall), and child labor. Includes a law term crossword puzzle. (MJP)

Presents project designed to teach eighth grade gifted and talented students about geographic themes and locational skills. Describes the lesson plan, applying the 5 fundamental geography themes to learning about 11 African countries. Explains the culminating project: organizing a bike-a-thon ("Ride for Wildlife") that raised $2784.00…

Evaluates the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning's" section on interrelations between social studies and other curriculum areas (art, music, literature, science, technology, reading, and writing). Commends the section for advocating integration of curriculum and for showing how limited research is for teaching…

Reports on a study investigating perceptions of K-12 teachers, educational technology faculty, and educational technology graduate students about instructional design, cooperative learning, learner control, school reform, computers and media, and implementation of a key practice in each area of their teaching. (49 references) (KRN)

Incentive structures were observed in mainstream classes enrolling students labeled as low achieving, average achieving, and learning disabled (LD). Incentive structures were labeled academic engagement and behavioral management. Students with LD engaged in intermediate amounts of content-related process relative to other students. Teachers used…

Describes the historical background to the Nuremberg War Trials. Asserts that there is a wealth of evidence in the National Archives documenting atrocities committed by the Nazis. Presents primary source documents used in the Trials and provides seven suggested teaching strategies. (CFR)

Presents seven exemplar lessons on Native American cultures from a spiral curriculum on United States history. Includes lessons from the kindergarten, middle school, and secondary levels. Describes teacher rationale statements and a grading rubric for middle school essays. (CFR)