Discusses Henri Cartier-Bresson's notion of the "aesthetic of the decisive moment" and its role in photographic composition. Argues that recording spontaneous moments from real life can produce significant and complex photographs. Suggests that instilling this technique in photography students frees them to experiment without fear of…

Describes phases of project-based learning (PBL): diagnosis, data feedback, and organization of learning projects. Compares PBL to other action-based learning methods. Provides four examples of PBL, underpinned by learning network theory. (SK)

Describes a business communication class assignment that helps students discover the assumptions and expectations of business culture, and develop the skills needed for the world of work in at least four areas: team skills; time and project management skills; use of technology to research, prepare, and present the project; and networking with…

Describes the introduction and evaluation of the effectiveness of a single group project given at a new university, and 10 individual tasks at an ancient university, to devise appropriate and relevant assessments for first-year service mathematics courses for science and engineering. Studies the effects of these tasks on attitudes toward…

Reports on the use of electronic mail and an electronic conferencing system to conduct group projects in three educational psychology courses at the State University of New York College at Cortland. Course design is explained and group project design is described, including assignments and oral presentations during regular class sessions.…

Discusses successes and failures in project-organized education during the last 10 years in the Electronics Department at the Engineering College of Copenhagen. Describes elements of successful problem solving and practical experiences and problems in project organization. (JRH)

Describes what may be called the next step in making the most effective use of real-life problems in collaborative learning exercises for the classroom. Proceeds from two premises: real-life problems should be used to introduce concepts, and students need to experience mathematics as a process. Illustrates a series of group projects that develop…

Describes the President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) program which encourages individuals, school classes, summer camps, public interest groups, and youth organizations to promote environmental awareness and community involvement. Describes the 10 projects that won the national award in 1994. Lists environmental education regional contacts.…

Details how students, working under the guidance of an instructor, design an experiment to test the relationship of temperature and digestive passage rate in garter snakes. Allows students to formulate and test hypotheses. (DDR)

Mechanical engineering and business student teams developed new products using a corporate sponsor's technology in a simulated business setting. Students learned about product development and venture start-up, and the sponsor gained new applications for its patented technology. (SK)

Describes how American and Russian students engaged in service learning in their own communities as part of an organizational communication class in which they learned communication principles and applied their skills to assist non-profit organizations. Describes both projects, stumbling blocks, and course outcomes. (SR)

Describes a student/faculty research project as one example in an area that appears to offer other opportunities for undergraduate research. Investigates whether people tend to prefer the rectangular shape known as the golden rectangle to other rectangular shapes. (Author/MM)

Uses a Galilean thought experiment to enhance learning in a college-level physical science course. Presents both modern and historical perspectives of Galileo's work. As a final project, students explored Galileo's thought experiment in the laboratory using modern detectors with satisfying results. (Contains 25 references.) (Author/ASK)

Describes a unique and ongoing collaboration involving a team of bilingual/multicultural teacher-educators, preservice teachers, teachers, students, and community members in an urban California elementary school. Uses critical ethnography as a framework and focuses on building an American garden house to show how, by drawing on participants' funds…

In this article we describe a project for an undergraduate artificial intelligence class. The project teaches neural networks using LEGO[R] handy board robots. Students construct robots with two motors and two photosensors. Photosensors provide readings that act as inputs for the neural network. Output values power the motors and maintain the…