This report presents the results of two field-based experimental studies to determine the effects of questioning techniques on student achievement and attitudes. The first study was done to determine what student learning outcomes are affected by teachers' use of probing and redirection techniques in classroom discussions. Another purpose of the…

The language teacher must provide a variety of activities in the classroom in which the student can use the second language in unrehearsed, novel situations requiring, on his part, inventiveness, resourcefulness and self-assurance. There should be less emphasis on linguistic accuracy and more on truly spontaneous and creative language. In the…

In the Multi-Disciplinary Graduate Program in Educational Research, graduate students at the doctoral level were participants. This program required exposure to other disciplines, to various approaches to problem definition, to various methodologies, concepts, and research techniques. It was expected that the students had gained experiences and…

Discusses why creation science could be discussed in a high school biology class. Examines the debate that exists between scientific creationists, biblical literalists, and traditional scientists regarding the teaching of creation science in schools. Describes how discussion of this debate could help students understand the nature of science. (CW)

Examines the influence of training on three middle school teachers' use of guides for three levels of comprehension during content area lessons. Those teachers who had acquired high levels of knowledge through training in goals and procedures tended to shift and adapt the distribution of questions they asked students. Views these adaptations as…

Explores a teacher's feelings during a classroom journal writing period that erupts into a confrontation with a student who disrupts the class. (NKA)

A program at Brandeis University uses literature to help professionals confront career dilemmas and work-related moral issues. Program participants say literature provides a "non-threatening" way to discuss difficult subjects. Doctors, legislators, corporate executives, public-school teachers, etc. have participated. (MLW)

Faculty members spent their time reading, thinking, and talking about American values at the Wye Faculty Seminar on the Maryland Eastern Shore. The seminar draws academics from small liberal-arts colleges and representives from business, government, and the media to exchange ideas on American social and political values. (MLW)

This paper addresses some real assessment challenges that teachers have identified: (1) Figuring out what really is important for students to know and be able to do in history; (2) Teaching the skills of "doing history" in a world of testing that often seems to value only factual knowledge; (3) Identifying and using assessments that provide…

Media literacy is the topic of this second white paper presented by Cable in the Classroom. Six different contributions were invited which give a variety of perspectives and recommendations to consider. A dialogue around the topic, and the paper itself, were also created; 29 educators (list of participants provided at the end of the document) were…

A study was conducted to understand the informal learning processes of the members of a worker natural foods store cooperative, The Big Carrot, in Toronto. Eight members with central roles in the natural foods retailer were interviewed. In addition, key documents and other writings on the cooperative were examined. The data indicate that members…

This volume contains the following articles: "Educational Linguistics as a Field: A View from Penn's Program on the Occasion of its 25th Anniversary" (Nancy Hornberger); "Constructing a Multicultural National Identity: South African Classrooms as Sites of Struggle between Competing Discourses" (Keith Chick);…

This guide draws on findings of research that explored key features of effective career discussions at work in major employing organizations in the United Kingdom. Intended for employees and the wide range of people positioned to offer advice and support on career development, it presents practical tips for these "receivers" and…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of scientific discussions based on student-constructed pre- and post-laboratory concept maps on students' attitudes toward chemistry laboratory in the university general chemistry. As part of instruction, during the first four laboratory sessions, students were taught how to construct and…

Unsuccessful college education often turns our students into book haters who will stop reading as soon as they graduate. The idea of literature circles embraces the concept of "reading for fun" and is intended to create more independent readers and book addicts who will continuously read for the rest of their lives. Pioneers in literacy…