Burke's own teacher-research has resulted in solutions for real classroom situations. In this, his last contribution as a column editor for "VM," he offers two more practical ideas for helping students achieve, and sends his readers off with advice to look to their own classrooms for solutions to the ever-present challenges of teaching. (Contains…

Despite its frequent use, there is little understanding of the concept of differential among upper high school and undergraduate students of physics. As a first step to identify the origin of this situation and to revert it, we have done a historic and epistemological study aimed at clarifying the role and the meaning of the differential in…

This article presents an activity that encourages students to create and analyze an organizational culture. In this activity, students perform two rounds of "keeping balloons in the air" with a brief interlude to try and improve performance. Next, they conduct an in-depth discussion of elements of organizational culture that affect productivity.…

Much of what teachers need to know to be successful is invisible to lay observers, leading to the view that teaching requires little formal study and to frequent disdain for teacher education programs. The weakness of traditional program models that are collections of largely unrelated courses reinforce this low regard. This article argues that we…

In this article, the author discusses the similarities and differences among educational psychology textbooks. Similarities among textbooks are: (1) general topics covered; (2) organizational scheme; and (3) visual appeal. Differences among textbooks are: (1) specific content; (2) writing style; (3) pedagogy; (4) design; and (5) ancillary package.…

Secondary schools are not meeting the needs of students, and the call has gone out for reform. The application of rigor, relevance, and relationships is a current model of instruction. One teacher can make a difference to a twice exceptional student who is struggling. They must create classroom environments that welcome diversity, not just in…

Many universities have experienced an increase in the intake of students and at the same time cuts in the budgets for teaching. Many teachers have discovered, for a number of reasons, that they have to adjust their teaching or even a course with short notice. These facts pose a challenge to the teachers' agility in adapting to changes--and in…

This article addresses the complex issue of lecturers' subject knowledge and teaching. It explores the subject knowledge models of Banks, Leach and Moon (expressed in their chapter "New understandings of teachers' pedagogic knowledge", in J. Leach and B. Moon's edited work "Learners and Pedagogy," 1999) and of Grossman, Wilson…

High school teacher Emily Sims shares her experiences co-teaching inclusive classes as a first-year teacher. She imparts practical advice for successful co-teaching relationships between the content teacher and the special education teacher, from which both students and teachers can thrive. (Contains 1 figure.)

This paper presents a rationale for teaching study skills to students with learning disabilities, a flexible study skills model, and suggestions for implementing the model. Students with learning disabilities are seen as capable of learning study skills but require specific instruction and practice and need teachers who understand learning styles,…

"Everyone knows what guidance is, don't we?" The author takes a detailed look and urges that we really find out. (Editor)

Examines a theme implicit in John Dixon's "Growth through English," that the pupil-centered approach of the primary school is essential to English work in the secondary school and that a model of English teaching should include the observation of language on a day to day basis. (RB)

Offers the Trait Treatment Interaction model as a means through which instructional decision makers can collect and evaluate data on the effectiveness of alternative forms of reading instructions for individuals of differing aptitudes. (RB)