Lists a number of ways in which science teachers can emphasize the development of thinking skills as demonstrated by writing. Discusses the elimination of multiple choice questions, replacement of long term papers with shorter papers, and revision of textbook questions used in assignments. (CS)

The reliability of grades on tutor-marked assignments was studied as background for debate on changing examination and assessment policy at the Open University. Results indicate that essay questions present the greatest reliability problems. (JMF)

Investigated effects of orders of presentation of oral and written information upon academic performance. Analysis revealed that students who received the oral presentation as the second exposure to the information reported significantly higher grade point averages than those for whom the oral presentation represented the first exposure.…

Reviews three different systems for use in responding to and grading the work of students in written business communication courses: written comments, conferences, and peer evaluation. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of each as well as ways to maximize effectiveness. (SR)

Explains how professors of literacy development, classroom teachers, and inservice facilitators can help students and teachers create interactive World Wide Web sites so that they can write for genuine purposes and to real audiences. Uses the example of preservice teachers creating interactive Web sites. Offers a summary of recent literature and…

Discusses how 4 teachers handle writing assignments, response, grading, portfolios, time allotted for completion of assignments, and classroom environment for English-as-a-second-language students. (RS)

Describes seven different written response formats (which all use reading response strategies) used with seventh graders. Discusses how the formats improve the quality of thinking put forth in students' responses to their self-selected adolescent novels. Discusses which response formats illicit more higher-level thinking. (SR)

Focuses on ideas and strategies to help students identify appropriate resources for specific research tasks. Highlights include three processes for working through assignments, brainstorming and narrowing the list of sources, using a checklist of primary sources, and other considerations. (AEF)

Describes a writing assignment in which students are required to research, individually, an aspect of their college and present results as an alumni magazine article. A second, collaborative assignment brings the class together to write about a significant campus issue. Benefits include better knowledge of the college, its programs, and its…

Discusses the guidelines for two class projects used in an undergraduate cognitive psychology class: (1) Museum of the Mind, where students created interactive museum-like displays; and (2) the Cognition Book, an edited book about cognition. Finds that students enjoyed the former activity but learned more from the latter. (CMK)

Presents the results of a two-page survey asking introductory psychology instructors to rate the effectiveness of 22 teaching techniques that focus on improving student performance. Finds that in-class examples/activities, writing assignments, emphasis on core concepts in lectures and examinations, and providing a copy of the lecture outline were…

Presents a literature review that focuses on undergraduate discussion. Describes a teaching method in which undergraduate sociology students are assigned to create an open-ended question and write a one- to three-page answer every one- to two-weeks. Addresses the positive and negative aspects of the method. (CMK)

Describes how a computerized environment supplemented traditional undergraduate courses in English literature and composition at the University of Florida, and was developed with a grant from IBM. Highlights include the use of MOO (multi-user, object-oriented) space; student assignments; the client-server setting; and student and teacher…

Asserts that well-designed course assignments are a critical component of effective teaching and learning processes. Discusses the Course Assignment Framework, which delineates 10 assignment categories, their rationales, and their advantages for faculty and students. States that the framework promotes combining tasks so that instructors can…

Interviews Irene Huschak, a computer teacher at Altoona Area High School in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Explains "A Digital Journey to Altoona's Past," a project which brings the history of Blair County, Pennsylvania alive for young readers by making them the main characters of historically accurate stories about the area's past. Discusses the…