Rebuts the case made by Donald Williams in "Making a Case for the Science Specialist." Argues that using science specialists gives the impression that science is only for certain people. Considers points made by preservice teachers in Williams' article concerning attitude, curricular concerns, and teaching science using real-life…

Argues that methods and procedures for teaching geography are becoming increasingly important as nongeography teachers present geographic concepts in other subjects. Describes an interdisciplinary instructional unit in which students use mathematical calculations to identify population centers in the United States and China. Provides maps, tables,…

Discusses "Private Eye," an approach to teaching which focuses on developing students as artists, writers, and scientists. Describes how this approach uses the jewelers loupe to examine everyday objects 5 or 10 times bigger, thus altering students' way of viewing the world through the change of scale and through analogy-provoking questions. (SR)

A survey of 41 faculty explored interdisciplinary teacher preparation programs that blend personnel standards from early childhood special education and early childhood education. The benefits and barriers to interdisciplinary, blended programs are discussed, along with the many concerns among faculty who are members of interdisciplinary teams in…

Describes the Practical Engagement Program (PEP) at the University of Michigan School of Information, an integral part of the professional master's program with the goal of providing mentored experience to help students integrate the application of classroom-taught theories, principles, and skills to specific problem outside of the classroom.…

Describes a course that bridges the gap between pure science and pure technology called Pre-Engineering. This course gives junior and senior students a chance to investigate the possibility of choosing engineering as a major in college as well as to experience hands-on activities, projects, laboratories, problem solving, and computer simulations…

Technological changes have caused a reexamination of the program to train chemical information specialists at Indiana University, resulting in the modification of existing courses and the creation of new courses and degree options. Plans for their implementation and for the establishment of joint industry-academic research projects are described.…

An interview with a colleague of linguist John Swales focuses on Swales' career study of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), particularly genre analysis and ESP and the growing interaction of two field, ESP for non-native speakers and composition studies, usually concerned with native speakers. Specific contributions made by Swales to the fields…

Describes two interdisciplinary units that can be used in most middle school classrooms, one on the sinking of the "Titanic" and one on Pickett's charge at Gettysburg during the Civil War. Describes how each unit involves English, math, social studies, and science classes and activities. (SR)

Discusses materials that can be used to create an interdisciplinary course that aims to provide students with a greater understanding of contemporary corporate-centered mass culture and its impact on their lives. Offers detailed reviews of literary and media sources illustrating the major shifts in cultural perception since World War II. (DSK)

Describes a mystery unit designed for a heterogeneous grouping of eighth-grade students that involves the disciplines of science and language arts. Addresses students' interests and connects naturally with language arts and science curriculum. (DDR)

Teacher educators taught elementary-level student teachers how to compose thematic integrated units, first coconstructing a view of thematic teaching, planning events to engage students, and developing an assignment description supporting students' unit writing. The paper describes the unit development, noting how student and faculty reflection on…

Describes the nature and extent of Arizona State University's public service, policy research, and outreach programs, noting efforts to make university policy research findings available to the public, the trend toward broad-based multidisciplinary research, and the involvement of significant numbers of students and faculty. The need for better…

After an introduction to the problems experienced by Australian individuals with multiple disabilities and their families, this article outlines the use of the McGill Action Planning System, or MAPS, to improve or develop educational programs. The timing and relationship between MAPS and Individual Education Plans are also discussed. (Contains…

Describes the San Carlos Charter Learning Center, a K-8 school chartered by the San Carlos, California, school district to be a research and development site. It has successfully shared practices in multi-age groupings, interdisciplinary instruction, parents as teachers, and staff evaluation. The article expands on the school's challenges and…