This paper examines obstacles faced by Japanese students learning English, noting that many such students are highly competent in reading, writing, and listening, but not in speaking. It suggests that students are worried about making oral mistakes, which cannot be erased once uttered, and that oral activities completed in English class are often…

How can students use technology as a tool to further learning in the classroom? How can an online database discussion improve participation and encourage historical thinking skills for all students? How can FileMaker Pro help students transcend the constraints of classroom time and space to facilitate a more global design of classroom discussion?…

This book creates a vision of online pedagogy based on the author's experience and desire to create a virtual environment that involves students and fosters their deep learning. There are 9 chapters in three parts. Part 1, "Theoretical Implications: Building a Body of Online Pedagogy," includes (1) "The Distance Factor"; (2) "The Optimal Role of…

LM_NET, the most successful educational listserv in the world has approximately 15,000 subscribed members from every state in the United States and from over 65 countries. LM_NET covers a wide range of interests, all related to library and information work in education, and interactions on LM_NET result in in-depth treatments of the major…

This book presents papers, written in both English and French, from a symposium entitled "Promoting Learner Autonomy: New Insights." After "Introduction" (Leni Dam), the eight papers include the following: "Examining the Discourse of Learner Advisory Sessions" (David Crabbe, Alison Hoffman, and Sara Cotteral);…

This tool was created in order to help young people and adults develop a common language for talking about how to improve schools. The tool provides educators, young people, administrators, policy makers, parents, community members and other stake holders with a common lens for reflecting on their schools and for planning change. It can also be…

This paper looks at the process of assessment of a computer-enhanced classroom experience during the implementation phase. It utilizes an assessment model based on Rathbun and Goodrum (1994) that suggests multi-methods of data collection. The use of triangulation to answer a research question fits into the proposed multi-method design. This paper…

This paper contends that there seem to be two basic types of films about HIV/AIDS: those produced by mass media (television, movies, news, soap operas) and those produced outside the commercial sphere (independent or "activist" videos and films). According to the paper, "Longtime Companion,""Philadelphia,""It's…

CNN Newsroom is a daily 15-minute commercial-free news program specifically produced for classroom use and provided free to participating schools. These guides are designed to accompany the program broadcasts for May 1-29, 1998. Top stories include: effects of a labor strike on Denmark's economy (May 1); the new currency of the European Union, the…

This paper reports on a comparative study of the use of asynchronous (bulletin board) and synchronous (chat) discussion on three learning units based on the cognitive maps developed by the learners. Cognitive maps have been found to be an effective tool for learners for discussion in a distributed learning environment. Cognitive maps provided…

Based on Henry David Thoreau's book "Walden," this lesson plan presents activities designed to help students understand that acquisitiveness and simplicity can be opposing life philosophies; and that both philosophies have had notable adherents. The main activity of the lesson involves students researching historical characters (including Thoreau)…

This paper describes an ongoing high school science teacher professional development project, Beyond Final Form Science, that focuses on developing teachers' ideas of scientific inquiry and inquiry pedagogy. It analyzes the first several months of the project, highlighting analyses of teachers' interactions during monthly professional development…

A study recorded the experiences of elementary school students with cooperative learning in two schools in Singapore. The students worked cooperatively in various assigned social studies tasks through the process of social interaction and sharing with their peers. One school was used as the experimental school while the other served as the…

Previous research on learner strategy instruction has produced mixed results. This article reports a study in which two classes of 32 Singapore upper secondary school second language users of English participated. Both classes had the same teacher. One class received instruction in asking higher order questions; the other class did not. Higher…

A variety of teaching methods for interpersonal skills training are suggested and explained, including role playing, simulated interviews, stimulus vignettes, videotaping, and clinic experience discussions. Other suggestions for implementation of these methods address sequence, grading, and faculty development. (MSE)