Describes the reform of an introductory biology curriculum to reverse high attrition rates. Objectives include fostering self-directed learning, emphasizing process over content, and offering laboratory experiences that model the way to acquire scientific knowledge. Teaching methods include discussion, group mentoring, laboratory sections, and…

Describes how a teacher who taught the same group of students for fourth and fifth grades taught her students to set reading goals, work to achieve them, reflect on them, use self-evaluation to set new goals, and use portfolios to assess their results. Notes that her students used these tools to learn to be critical thinkers as well. (SR)

Argues that active learning approaches should be used in institutions of higher education and with adult students. Argues that the constructivist approach to educating preservice teachers produces better teachers and is achievable despite problems of large classes, restricted textbook choices, and evaluation issues. Provided suggestions for…

Examines why schools and teachers are stalled in their efforts to become more learning oriented, using site-based management as an example of certain desirable and undesirable elements of school reform. Radical reculturing of the school as institution and basic redesign of the teaching profession are recommended to achieve necessary changes. (SM)

Advocates the Ausubelian approach to preschool education, as it combines traditional child-centered and teacher-centered preschool settings, and influences of Bruner and Piaget. Focuses on the use of the advance organizer lesson to assist students in making basic concept connections. Notes positive effects on student stimulation, interaction, and…

A high school teacher in rural Georgia who has used the 11 Foxfire Core Practices for seven years describes how they have helped her enable students to guide their own learning and think for themselves. Her classes' high scores on state writing tests and Spanish competitions are further testimony to the viability of the practices. (TD)

Library Lab, used at Grinnel College (Iowa), is a one-on-one research tutorial that students use for specific assignments. Most sessions take from 1 to 4 hours for background research and 30 minutes to an hour for an interactive meeting. Library Lab gives the librarian time to prepare and provides students with uninterrupted service catered to…

A teacher describes her experience applying the Foxfire approach to a particularly unruly fourth-grade class. A trip to an old-growth forest caught their attention and became their learning laboratory for the year. Practically every project they did focused around the forest, and they became a productive, hard working class. (TD)

Discusses design requirements, and advantages and disadvantages of the following learner-centered instructional development tools: information containers; authoring systems; templates, models, or widgets; learning-oriented instructional development tools; and adaptive learning-oriented systems. (AEF)

Describes how a middle school principal, concerned with the growing number of failing students, found a successful way to improve students' performance in content area classes: she observed and worked with students, demonstrated information processing strategies, and interviewed students about strategies that worked best for them. Describes how…

Examines vital design issues pertaining to the "Online Self-Test," a simple solution for dealing with concerns about lack of time and lack of motivation in distance education. Presents experiences gained during the implementation of the Online Self-Test Center for Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik, India, and…

Presents an example of a complete Patchwork Text assignment assembled by a student during the module "Perspectives on Research and Knowledge in Professional Practice." The example illustrates the Patchwork format of a sequence of writing tasks produced at intervals during the course and ending with an attempt at a retrospective synthesis. (AEF)

A qualitative study explored experiences of two adolescent high school students who are gifted but underachieving. Results indicate the students were stuck on an academic merry-go-round, whirling by the same content over and over without any input. Internally driven to learn, they became frustrated and unchallenged, waiting to do something…

Reviews current experimental research that deals with various aspects of learner control in computer-based instruction (CBI). Topics discussed include cognitive styles; computer anxiety; levels of field independence; sequencing; feedback; interactive videodiscs; branching in software menus; varying the density of text; and suggestions for future…

Discussion of electronic publishing focuses on the four main purposes of media in general: communication, entertainment, motivation, and education. Highlights include electronic journals and books; hypertext; user control; computer graphics and animation; electronic games; virtual reality; multimedia; electronic performance support;…