Explores the use of concept mapping as a college teaching technique, drawing on research on conceptual knowledge, concept formation, and classroom applications and variations. Specific activities for concept mapping and modeling are offered, and the nature of the teacher's and student's role is discussed. (MSE)

Describes a schedule for college classroom "preventive maintenance" that focuses on four classroom components: classroom community; students; course content; and faculty. A checklist allows assessment of these components during specific time periods in the semester, and a tune-up kit that includes diagnostic questions, sources of relevant…

Examines a music teacher in a second-grade classroom in order to determine how the instructor taught and how the students learned. Identifies four themes related to the nature of teacher expertise and five themes on student learning. Reports that the teacher understood these issues and utilized the information to change teaching styles. (CMK)

Describes how two teachers in a fourth-grade classroom adapted the idea of literature study to a format that nurtured first- and second-language learning for all their students. Shows how choice of reading materials and choice of language to discuss what was read provided opportunities for students to raise their levels of both fluency and…

Considers how curricular self-analysis of patterns of classroom talk provides teachers with an important opportunity to consciously consider the ways their talk works to define the nature of literacy events, students' roles, and the literacy strategies children come to use and value. (SR)

Describes the formative evaluation of computer-based multimedia programs on CD-ROM that were developed in South Carolina to encourage middle school students to explore various environmental careers. Three main areas of evaluation are discussed: (1) user evaluation; (2) functional evaluation; and (3) content evaluation. The role of students and…

Portrays 21st-century American students as being more diverse in ethnicity, age, culture, prior education, and proficiency in computer and technology use. Asserts that future learners will take the lead in managing their own learning, unlike the traditional college students of the 20th century. (VWC)

Discusses the experience of including a deaf and academically delayed student in a middle school classroom. Notes the team teachers' and students' efforts to modify instructional and social situations to benefit all students, including modifying assignments, participating in class activities, using the community as a classroom, and assigning…

Addresses the cooperation between the Centre for Canadian Contemporary Art (CCCA) and Confederation High School in Nepean (Ontario) focusing on student involvement within the CCCA project. Highlights the students' efforts to promote the CCCA's corporate image by creating a logo for letterheads, envelopes, and business cards. (CMK)

Presents an annotated bibliography of ERIC documents and journals discussing issues related to implementing total quality management (TQM) principles in middle level education. Topics include guidelines for implementation, profiles of schools demonstrating TQM principles, and efforts in other fields. Journal article topics include TQM in school…

Describes technology use in Union City (New Jersey) schools. Explains a Bell Atlantic partnership that provided computers; and discusses a course designed by the Center for Children and Technology (CCT) to build student experts in technology, including relationships with community agencies, HTML, Web site design, storyboarding, using Spanish and…

Describes the development of a class at Zayed University (United Arab Emirates) that used laptop computers to make classroom instruction more student-centered. Discusses the design of self-paced materials and reports results that indicated students preferred a traditional teacher-centered lecture course. Considers implications for distance…

The paper discusses Iris Marion Young's idea of asymmetric reciprocity that rethinks typical understandings of gift giving. Iris Marion Young's proposals for asymmetric ethical relationships have important implications for democratic contexts that seek to take differences seriously. Imagining oneself in the place of the other or expecting from the…

This is an inductive case study of a European-American fourth-grade girl who struggled with print-based aspects of literacy. The study highlights her multiple levels of competency as she participated over time in a heterogeneous literature discussion group that read and responded to three culturally diverse novels. Data include 27 audio-taped…

Around the world there are many schools where native speakers of other languages study English as a foreign language (EFL). In this article, I introduce a school-based reflective management model (SBRM) for such EFL schools. The model centers on creating a learning community where all changes involve reflective learning and growth for students,…