States that instruction in pedagogics at the lower level of secondary education within the German school system is usually offered as a compulsory optional subject for grades nine and ten and is taught under the name of pedagogics, educational science, socio-pedagogics, social work, or basic pedagogics. (CMK)

Examines 11 preservice teachers' experiences with action research. Explains the four components of an action-research course: (1) reflection and inquiry; (2) learning about students; (3) learning about content knowledge; and (4) learning about social justice and democracy. Focuses on three teacher candidates' action-research studies. (CMK)

Contends that in order to make political science scientifically based, people within the discipline must reach a consensus on what a scientifically based discipline is, and communicate that information to the students. States that teaching about the scientific method may focus on a set of principles within the grasp of undergraduate students. (CMK)

Reports on preservice teachers' use of a concept-mapping tool to create/modify concept maps about science-related elementary curriculum-content knowledge. Data from interviews, journals, and analysis of the concept maps showed how the preservice teachers used the tool to construct their curriculum-content knowledge in the form of more powerful…

Describes a computer course for undergraduate chemistry students that provides them with sufficient experience to be capable of making independent progress in solving chemical problems using computers. Consolidates undergraduate computer-related material into a single course. (DDR)

A series of programs entitled Creationism and Evolution: The History of a Controversy was presented at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The controversy was addressed from an historical and sociological, rather than a scientific perspective. Speakers addressed the evolution of scientific creationism, ancient texts versus sedimentary rocks…

Responses from 251 of 309 public two-year colleges revealed little effect of the integration of academic and vocational education on community college curriculum, especially at high-disadvantage campuses. Most offered job-specific/technical experiences but few focused on work organization or career exploration. (SK)

Describes a year long graduate course in social work education that utilizes an experiential service learning framework. Illustrates how the graduate course could be adapted for teaching undergraduate sociology students about social problems within the community by linking fieldwork with a case study component. Discusses the undergraduate model in…

Highlights the state government course at West Virginia University that leads students in a comparative study of state governments. Uses a natural progression of course topics from basic state-level characteristics, to political behavior, to political institutions, to policy in order to facilitate understanding of interstate political variation.…

Summarizes the principal steps involved throughout the development of a CD-ROM on the history of Nebraska's media explaining the reasons for producing the software, its contents and features, selection of material, and the actual design process. Provides recommendations that may help other teachers considering a similar project. (CMK)

Discusses the groundwork and establishment of credibility needed to start a creative writing program: (1) writing, publishing, and involvement in the writing community; (2) designing courses that fit a variety of student needs and being prepared to teach evening classes; and (3) promoting the program. (VWC)

Describes the course "Introduction to Culture" that is a part of the Ursuline Studies Program at Ursuline College. Explains that the course is derived from the ideas of urban philosopher, Lewis Mumford, and discusses his ideas in detail. Reviews the academic goals of the course and the examines the broader Ursuline Studies Program. (CMK)

Provides suggestions for using active learning as the primary means to teaching statistics in order to create a collaborative environment. Addresses such strategies as using SPSS Base 7.5 for Windows and course periods centered on answering student-generated questions. Discusses various writing intensive assignments. (CMK)

Describes the development and implementation of a cross-listed undergraduate and graduate-level child psychology course taught over the Internet. Describes course content and instructional goals. Outlines the opportunities and pitfalls of teaching in a virtual classroom. (CMK)

Examines the effects of music teacher delivery skills, lesson content, and student academic standing on 511 university music students' perceptions of lesson quality or teacher appeal. Indicates that student interest and preference varied by academic standing, teacher delivery, and lesson quality. Includes references. (CMK)