Discusses an instructional strategy for a college-level, geography course in which changes in student's attitudes about specific U.S. states are observed. Describes the process of collecting and analyzing data from students about desirable and undesirable states. Concludes that physical environment and perceived social factors are important…

Three studies explored age changes and individual differences in preschoolers' sustained attention in different contexts. Found that changes occurred earlier for play and television viewing than for reaction time tasks. Results suggest that children have stable tendencies to sustain attention but that attention varies with task demands and…

A qualitative study explored eight elementary principals' conceptions about leadership and management constructs; beliefs about the role of their personal philosophies; and language used to describe themselves, their work, and their schools. Principals identified four issues: conflicting roles, being there, evolving as leaders, and balancing…

Lists strategies for promoting functional vision use in children with visual and motor impairments, including providing postural stability, presenting visual attention tasks when energy level is the highest, using a slanted work surface, placing target items in varied locations within reach, and determining the most effective visual adaptations.…

Investigates two problems: (1) do learning effects accrue in accuracy or response time when computerized tests are administered in two sessions? and (2) what are the effects of tonal pattern order and contour types on average item difficulty and length of response time for children with different levels of achievement? (DSK)

Suggests a new role for researchers in higher education, a teaching role requiring the researcher to make findings relevant, useful, and understandable to practitioners. Considers the educational role of individual researchers, educational accountability of the research community, and accountability measures for educational research. (Author/DB)

Describes a classroom demonstration that uses a video clip of a robbery from the film "Robocop" to illustrate the fallibility of eyewitness testimony. Students view the clip and complete a multiple-choice test concerning the episode. The ubiquitous poor test performance can be used for an interesting and productive discussion. (MJP)

Examines gender differences in self-perception in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Results indicate significant gender variance in the participants' ratings of the evaluative and potency scales of "my ideal self," with all women rating the potency of "my ideal self" lower than did the men. (RJM)

Investigated 87 (British) deputy principals' perceptions of the headship and the likelihood of their applying for such posts. A considerable number (35) replied they were unlikely to apply within the next 5 years. The 11 male respondents showed a greater disposition to apply than the 76 female respondents. Younger and less experienced respondents…

Examines the effect of participating in a senior capstone course on undergraduates' identification with a university-promoted version of the college student role. Uses a longitudinal study of undergraduate students at a public university. Provides evidence of the effectiveness of the course as a socialization agent. Discusses implications and…

Assessed parental gender-stereotyped perceptions of their newborn infant within a group of 40, mostly Caucasian, pairs of parents. Findings show stereotyped descriptions (that is, finer features, less strong, more delicate, and so on) were used when comparing newborn girls with boys. These perceptions persisted across a one-week time interval.…

This article considers issues associated with the role of the special educator in testifying as an expert witness in disputes over special education programs. Guidelines for such witnesses cover preparation for giving testimony, responding to the cross-examination, and ethical considerations. (DB)

Seventy-seven principals serving grades 7-12 in Missouri schools were surveyed to determine the differences between how principals view school librarians and how school librarians view themselves. Similarities occurred in the perceptions about the importance of a library program and inadequate funding. Views diverged most noticeably in terms of…

The verbal overshadowing paradigm was used with 167 undergraduates to determine whether performance across all items on Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices was dependent on the same cognitive processes. Results clearly indicated that a subset of items was dependent on visuospatial processes, while another subset required verbal-analytic…

Presents the results of a study of two fifth-grade reading groups, one comprised of all girls and the other of mixed gender. Discusses results in a reflective essay format, suggesting that the group of girls was more emotional in their observations and the mixed group was more action and plot oriented. (TB)