After a review of the literature on learning a second-language sound system, a study is reported that used only perceptual training to improve both pronunciation and perception of /r/ and /l/ among 39 Japanese university students of English. Results suggest that listening practice can improve pronunciation and perception. (Contains 32 references.)…

Theorizing that college is a cross-cultural experience for all students and faculty, examines students' experiences in completing a psychology paper and explores the ways a Psychology Writing Lab (PWL) served as mediator for instructor and student. Indicates that students in the PWL procrastinated less, chose more appropriate articles, understood…

Administered a laboratory process skills test to 147 year-5 students to assess their investigations, performance, and reasoning in biology, chemistry, and physics. Reports significant correlation between performance and amount of homework done and students' perceptions of several aspects of the classroom environment including personalization,…

Argues that the changing informational content of biology, tightening cost constraints, improving electronic media, increasing pressures from advocates of animal rights, and the growing evidence of the effectiveness of electronic modes of instruction are undermining the traditional belief that all students in biology should have the benefit of…

Describes a fourth-grade project at Malcom Price Lab School at the University of Northern Iowa in which students write and produce a community brochure about their hometown, Cedar Falls, Iowa. The brochure provides a "kid's eye-view" of Cedar Falls' history, cultural events, and recreational activities and is distributed by local…

Discusses problems with integrating computers into college curricula from both student and faculty perspectives. A lack of faculty computer literacy is discussed; learning the process of computer use versus the purposes for computer use is addressed; the interaction between faculty, students, and computers is considered; and possible solutions are…

Reviews the work of the Commission on Undergraduate Education in the Biological Sciences (CUEBS) from 1964 to 1972. Suggests that now is the appropriate time to reassess their efforts, to build on their successes, and to use their experience to attack some of the continuing problems facing biology education. (21 references) (KR)

After a brief review of trends in language labs, the history of Wisconsin's Learning Support Services (LSS) lab, which grew into an independent department serving all foreign languages, is traced. Its evolution included the development of an extensive library, audio studio, video service, and special cataloging and outreach system. (11 references)…

Describes a 20-hour training program to prepare peer tutors to work in a writing lab. Analyzes conversations, actions, and reflections of nine peer tutors during the training period. Finds that making student discovery central to tutoring and to tutor training develops effective tutors. (SR)

Describes the formation and operations of the Navajo Dryland Environments Laboratory (NDEL). NDEL, established by the Waste-Management Education and Research Consortium of New Mexico on the campus of Navajo Community College, focuses on environmental geology, hydrology, and resource management of the Colorado Plateau drylands. (DMM)

The changes that have taken place in laboratory safety in the past two decades are examined. The way in which the United Kingdom's Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is just now starting to have effect is described. The responsibility of teachers for the health and safety of their students is discussed. (KR)

The design principles for professional development schools articulated by the Holmes Group are not currently reflected in laboratory schools. However, if they are to play a major role in the future preparation of teachers, laboratory schools can and should make the transition to professional development schools. (IAH)

A survey of 156 dental hygiene education programs, a majority in community colleges, investigated whether and to what extent they taught nonsurgical gingival curettage. Faculty attitudes about teaching the technique, reasons for not teaching it, and reasons for wanting to include it in their programs were also elicited. (MSE)

Describes a survey of physics and physical science teachers in Iowa that was conducted to determine their use of microcomputers. Availability of computers and types of software used are examined, frequency of use and access to computer laboratories are investigated, and results are compared with those from earlier surveys. (seven references) (LRW)

An activity in which students transform an ampicillin-sensitive strain of E. coli with a plasmid containing a gene for ampicillin resistance is described. The procedure for the preparation of competent cells and the transformation of competent E. coli is provided. (KR)