Outlines and describes a fifth-grade unit of study examining issues of freedom and oppression. Students began with a biography and a presentation on an individual who had experienced discrimination. They then interviewed local people who had experienced significant freedom or oppression. Culminating activities included writing one-act plays. (MJP)

Descriptions of students projects raising chickens and studying salmon illustrate how project-based learning engages high-risk Alaska Native students. Projects make learning relevant, involve the community, increase student self-esteem, and help students and teachers bond with each other. A 4-day workshop for teachers emphasized how projects must…

Discusses the importance of curriculum integration for helping teachers make sense of standards in a curriculum relevant to students. Describes two middle school class projects that demonstrate these principles: one in which students explored their skills and attitudes in relation to local businesses, the other, in which students helped build…

Describes the development of a statistical experiment to assess and compare the effects of traditional lecture and laboratory technology methods of teaching introductory computer programming concepts. Discusses the use of performance measures including tests, quizzes, homework, and projects to assess students' learning, retention, and success…

A software development collaboration project designed to maximize the skill sets and interests of school children and teachers, educational software technologists and researchers, and college undergraduates is presented. The work brings elementary school children with college seniors and technology consultants to implement a problem-solving…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional approach that has been used successfully for over 30 years and continues to gain acceptance in multiple disciplines. It is an instructional (and curricular) learner-centered approach that empowers learners to conduct research, integrate theory and practice, and apply knowledge and skills to develop…

This article describes a process called "Photovoice," originally developed by Carolyn Wang and Mary Ann Burris (1997) in the field of public health, and illustrates how thirteen students with disabilities in three high schools used cameras and text to show and tell how they engage or fail to engage in their education. This article indicates a…

One of the most powerful technology tools available to science teachers is often the least used. A course management system (CMS) is a web-based application that provides an online distance learning platform for teachers and students. CMS platforms such as Blackboard, WebCT, Jenzabar, and Desire-2-Learn provide many opportunities for good science…

In community-based research (CBR), faculty, students, and community partners collaborate on research projects. This emerging pedagogy presents numerous challenges to instructors teaching CBR courses, including: finding a disciplinary connection, building CBR into the curriculum, ensuring student readiness, and structuring the CBR experience…

Intended for teachers of students in grades 4 through 8 and beyond, this book offers a simple process for teaching students to think critically and write logically. Each lesson in the book provides three different writing templates: the beginning template is intended for third- and fourth-grade students; the intermediate, for grades 4 through 6;…

Educational research has shown that technology can enhance student acquisition of discrete skills through drill and practice. This document describes the research design of a study that examined whether technology could provide significant support for constructivist, project-based teaching and learning approaches. The study also identified the…

These conference proceedings address the capabilities of technology in education. Papers and summaries of presentations are provided on topics such as: grants for educational technologies; telecomputing and electronic mail projects; instructional software and hypermedia design projects; curriculum integration; local control of the Internet;…

Many teachers want to use media technology to add a new dimension to classroom learning. Focusing on curriculum application and integration, the 75 projects in this activity book engage students in active, participatory, real-life learning. This book gives simple instructions and reproducible activity sheets for standard, basic technologies in the…

This paper discusses ways that teachers have found to integrate curriculum and make it more meaningful to students. A review of the literature reveals that teachers are exploring ways to provide developmentally appropriate curriculum and opportunities for children to learn in a more natural setting. Three approaches are examined: whole language,…

This book, developed by the Iowa City Community School District, recipient of the National Library Media Program of the year Award in 1997, provides a complete K-12 curriculum, with details on when key basic information, research, and production skills should be introduced, expanded, and reviewed. The book is divided into four parts: Part I:…