From the academic--or instructivist--perspective, the young child is seen as dependent on adults' instruction in the academic knowledge and skills necessary for a good start for later academic achievement. This perspective is in direct contrast to the active and interactive curriculum assumed by proponents of the constructivist approach. This…

Project-Based Teacher Partnerships is a model for teacher professional development to help teachers doing technology-supported project-based learning in the Challenge 2000 Multimedia Project. Experienced teachers team with a small number of less-experienced teachers to form a partnership. The partnership plans a project that the teachers will…

Are you curious about the Reggio Emilia approach but not quite sure where to begin? "Working in the Reggio Way" helps early childhood teachers bring the reflective, high-quality practices of Reggio Emilia to American programs. Based on an American teacher's experience observing and working in the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, this…

Describes funded Projects: Mainstreaming (meets needs of handicapped students); Drownproofing (teaches self-survival skills in water); REAP (serves rural outstate schools of Minnesota); Promise (involves students in production of films, slides, transparencies, and other media); Ideas (serves gifted students in rural settings); and Explore…

Describes a course using the prospect of living in space for motivating students to learn basic physics as well as differences between pure science and technology. Includes course content and a sample final examination. (Author/JN)

Describes a project at the University of Michigan in which Information and Library Studies (ILS) students served as mentors to first-year students in an introductory engineering course. Engineering librarians served as lecturers to the engineering students and as back-up for the ILS students. Analysis of student projects and evaluations by…

Provides a brief overview of the educational conditions in Canada's Yukon Territory and discusses their effect on curriculum development. Describes three social studies curriculum projects from inception to completion. The projects are "Our Land Too: Women of Canada and the Northwest 1860-1914"; "Klondike Gold"; and…

Highlights the value of field trips and oral history as a way of obtaining information and understanding about other cultures. Describes an oral history class project conducted by high school students at a bilingual multinational school in Mexico. Includes guidelines for such activities and excerpts from students' notes. (MJP)

Midwestern University-Chicago College of Pharmacy has developed a five-week elective community pharmacy management rotation in partnership with local pharmacies. Students work directly with district and pharmacy managers, covering a list of topics developed by faculty and preceptors and performing one major project and several smaller ones.…

Discusses classroom application of the concept that the best way to learn something is to explain it to someone else. Science students select basic subject concepts, then develop a brief lecture and a series of demonstrations and hands-on activities to explain those concepts to younger audiences. Students present their teacher-approved units to…

Describes the National History Day Program which was instituted to give secondary students a chance to display their research and analytic skills in the field of history for which they could receive awards or scholarships. Explains the process for participating. (KO)

Maintains that photographs can be used to enhance instruction at all grade levels. Discusses the hardware, software, and process necessary to create both teacher-developed and student-developed photo compact disks. Also maintains that many commercial photo CDs are available royalty-free for the classroom. (CFR)

Maintains that the National Council for the Social Studies national standards advocate understanding of and participation in democratic citizenship by all students, including those at the elementary level. Provides recommendations for developing a democratic classroom and building a democratic school community. (CFR)

Discusses the use of globes to teach geographic concepts and geographic location. Contends that smaller, eight-inch globes can be effective instructional tools. Describes how students can produce inexpensive personal globes for classroom use. (CFR)

Contends that the success or failure of an undergraduate research project can hinge on one or two decisions made at an early stage in the process. Describes a "Snakes and Ladders" board game used to remind students of good and bad research design practices. Includes game rules and a listing of the good and bad practices. (CFR)