Pre- and postcourse questionnaire assessments of a university course on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) taken by 429 college students demonstrate substantial cognitive and attitudinal changes over the period. University courses can be an efficient way to educate future community leaders and professionals about AIDS. (SLD)

Dialogue journals written by middle school students and preservice teacher education students provide an opportunity for the preservice teachers to learn about the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional development of middle school students and how these aspects of the students' lives affect learning. (IAH)

Addresses the need for institutional-level research on minority college student persistence and choice of academic major, discussing the importance and benefits of such research. A two-stage case study illustrates the utility of institutional research. Implications of the campus-based model of the study are discussed. (SLD)

This article describes the University of Utah's approach to preparing teachers of students with disabilities for change in the schools. The discussion addresses coursework and field experiences which stress the process of change, through the examination of professional roles, socio-technical systems analysis, cultural perspectives, and ongoing…

A prototype computerized expert system was designed to advise high school or first-year college students who are uncertain about a particular college or major. On-demand consultation gathers information about student grades, interests, test scores, and aptitudes, assesses admission qualifications for a variety of majors, then recommends curricula…

Reports on a study of early field experience activities in 22 teacher education programs. Concludes that the goals of most field experiences programs are seldom achieved. Recommends more institutional support and field experience assignments geared to self-reflection and analysis. (CFR)

Asserts that feminist instructors try to foster personal and social change. Maintains that feminist teachers must encourage activism in their classrooms to keep feminist culture alive. Describes two outside student activities, discusses group projects, and provides suggestions on student evaluation. (CFR)

Parents of students with moderate (n=38) and severe (n=15) disabilities indicated their preferences for the percent of a typical school week spent on functional life skills, academic skills, friendship/social relationship development, and other educational activities. Both groups of parents preferred that the largest percentage of time be spent on…

Discussion of reference service in a changing information environment focuses on a survey of basic reference courses in American Library Association (ALA) accredited programs that was conducted to investigate how library school students are being educated for reference service. Highlights include course content; teaching methods; learning…

This study examined whether concept-based or experience-based training designs and their subsequent execution would create different training effects in teachers (depending on whether trainers took into account diagnostic information on existing teacher beliefs and preconceptions). Pretraining and posttraining data indicated that teachers' beliefs…

Asserts that promotion of classroom thinking generally is assumed to be the sole responsibility of the teacher. Suggests using a text that portrays students engaged in reasoning and other interventions to stimulate the growth of critical and creative thinking. (CFR)

Refutes the notion that science is a culture unto itself and inaccessible to members of minority cultures. Considers ways to offer science to multicultural populations. Recommends multidisciplinary college teaching approaches for nonscience majors that recognize individual differences. Describes a science foundations course that uses this…

Presents recommendations for teacher educators to prepare students to deal with sex bias in the schools (e.g., teacher educators must model what they teach, prospective teachers must study classroom dynamics to eliminate bias in classroom communication, and methods courses must incorporate research on how bias affects teaching methods). (SM)

Three cooperative programs between the University of New England-Northern Rivers (Australia) and regional arms of government agencies which provide professional development are described. They involve the departments of school education, health, and family and community services. The university offers a variety of credit-bearing undergraduate and…

Presents a study in which students in an abnormal psychology class rated the usefulness of drafts for two writing assignments. Reports that a research proposal was more effective than a case study in generating interest in psychology and opportunity for creativity. Concludes that writing assignments should reflect important aspects of a…