Argues that graphs and charts are cases of document structures introduced in previous columns: combined lists, intersecting lists, and nested lists. Explores pie charts and various aspects of bar charts as they relate to other document structures presented in this series. (RS)

Discussion of the role of small group performance focuses on solving problems to improve performance. Types of tasks and their effects on groups are described; group resources are discussed; factors affecting group process are explained; and a flowchart for solving group performance problems is presented. (LRW)

Presents principles of screen design applied to the use of visuals on computer monitors during teleconferencing, including formatting; color; text design; lists; graphic images; and charts. Print materials are considered, and strategies to support the interactive use of the computer screen are discussed. (LRW)

Describes an "improvement gauge": a cumulative chart providing a numerical analytic comparison of student and teacher evaluations for every graded writing assignment. Maintains that its use improves teacher effectiveness, grading efficiency, student/teacher conference productivity, and student reflection on writing strengths and weaknesses. (SR)

Describes a teacher's experiences with piloting a data-driven process called "precision teaching" which calls for students to be active participants in their learning. (ASK)

Describes how the School District of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, implemented a districtwide quality-management system based on the Geneva-based International Standards Organization 9001, a major component of which is the documentation of procedures. Includes sections on implementation, procedure manuals, quality management, uniformity, formatting,…

This article presents the Schemagram, a conceptual model counselor and client can use to map behavior through narrative. The model weaves Piagetian developmental theory with narrative techniques to create a visual flow chart depicting past, present, and future development. (Author)

Graphs don't always show what the graphers say they do. The most notorious recent example of a misleading graph is the one produced by the U.S. Department of Education that plots National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading scores against total federal spending on education. This graph was taken apart by Howard Wainer and Daniel…

Competency-based instruction can be applied to a military setting, an academic program, or a corporate environment with a focus on producing performance-based learning outcomes. In this article, the authors provide theoretical and practical information about underlying characteristics of competencies and explain how the Department of Instructional…

Literacy is an important component in school education, spanning across all curricula, in fact, national educational goals specifically emphasize the importance of developing literacy skills at all grade levels. Language is one way students learn and process content not just in the classroom but also in physical education. This article discusses…

Effective, "schoolwide" inclusion ensures the best outcomes for all students--but how can school teams knock down the barriers to inclusion and make sure it's happening across all classrooms? This concise book gives principals and other school leaders the solution they've been waiting for: a clear framework for leading inclusion efforts,…

A logic model, also called a conceptual model and theory-of-change model, is a visual representation of how a program is expected to "work." It relates resources, activities, and the intended changes or impacts that a program is expected to create. Typically, logic models are diagrams or flow charts with illustrations, text, and arrows that…

The research presented in this report examines the effect of prison-based postsecondary education (PSE) on offenders both while incarcerated and after release. Urban Institute researchers worked with the staff of four institutions in three states to conduct inmate focus groups and stakeholder interviews to explore the motivations for enrolling in…

Until recently, qualitative research has made limited use of visual sources, particularly visual texts (drawing, painting or photographs), but also including multimodal data (video and web-based) and visual data (tables, graphs, charts, etc.). Thus, discussions of ethics and evidence in this area have lagged behind those related to textual data,…

In contemporary academic literature and in many national curricula, there is a widespread acceptance that critical thinking should be an important dimension of Education. Teachers and researchers recognize the importance of developing students critical thinking, but there are still great difficulties in defining and assessing critical-thinking…