Outlines the development of a curriculum in molecular science that prepares those students who have a deep understanding of chemistry concepts and principles, have collaboration skills, are able to use modern technology, and can write about chemistry. (DDR)

Argues that distance-education technologies do not necessarily bring people close to each other and to the world. Discusses the central educational requirement for students to discover an inner connection to the subject matter and how to hold these technologies in a human balance. Recommends opportunities for students to experience the world, in…

Explores the use of concept mapping as a college teaching technique, drawing on research on conceptual knowledge, concept formation, and classroom applications and variations. Specific activities for concept mapping and modeling are offered, and the nature of the teacher's and student's role is discussed. (MSE)

Discusses the pros and cons often mentioned concerning technology in education. Describes measures of effectiveness of technology-enhanced educational programs, ranging from active learning and multidisciplinary tasks to performance-based assessments. Argues that technology should enhance rather than replace direct experiences. (PVD)

Investigated how Dutch teachers and adult, female, immigrant students in basic education dealt with active learning, noting impediments to active learning experienced by teachers in basic education. Interviews with teachers and students indicated that students' passive attitudes, which teachers interpreted as culturally determined and problematic,…

Briefly highlights the work of one of the early pioneers of online education, Dr. Linda M. Harasim. Harasim stated five characteristics for online education and included active learning through peer communication and social process of knowledge building in the overall theory and definition of distance education. Other early contributors to…

Discusses the quality of instruction for communication skills and creative thinking skills in engineering education and the difficulties caused by the single-subject approach in different engineering majors. Provides alternative solutions to the problem such as irrelevant teaching methods, difficulties in implementing technology in classrooms, and…

Defines inquiry, a student-centered discovery process, and introduces Pathways to Knowledge(TM), an information process model that provides stages and strategies for anyone interested in gathering, using, and evaluating information. Describes the six stages of Pathways: Appreciation, Presearch; Search; Interpretation; Communication; and…

Introduces a software package available for the climatology curriculum that determines possible climatic events according to a long-term climate history. Describes the integration of the software into the curriculum and presents examples of active learning. (Contains 19 references.) (YDS)

Describes the Center for Human Origin and Cultural Diversity program that is a model for multicultural education in which students learn about the human fossil record, the value of biological variation, and the characteristics common to all humans. Presents results from a study that support the use of this program. (CMK)

Describes a problem-based course in which students in an interdisciplinary program explored the manufacture of biological knowledge. Discusses how students gained an appreciation of the complex interactions between ideals, individuals, institutions, and investments that comprise modern biological research through study of a variety of problems and…

Suggests that formal classroom debate presents an opportunity for dental students to develop important learning/thinking skills and can be incorporated into coursework along with other active learning strategies. Discusses debate organization, presents rules of debate used in second-year dental school classes at the State University of New York,…

In literature on problem-based learning (PBL), it is often difficult to determine whether the educational approach being described is actually PBL. Provides planners and assessors of PBL curricula with a framework for analysis. Educational activities can be categorized as PBL according to three core principles and four criteria concerning their…

An active, case-based project (CBP) learning program in anatomy was evaluated to measure differences between male and female students in perception of the initial discussion sessions as developing deep learning skills, and also in performance on CBP and essay components of the written examination. Females responded more positively to discussion…

Highlights the benefits of active and student-centered learning. Describes the University of Wisconsin Student History Network that uses an updated model of the literary society and includes a Web site and electronic discussion groups for students in history survey courses. Discusses the problems, changes, and success of the University of…