Relates students' favorite television characters to specific skill development, such as discussions in class, vocabulary development, critical thinking and evaluating occupations for future career guidance. (RK)

Some new ways to capitalize on an old truth: When you begin with your students' own interests, they'll learn faster and remember more. (Editor)

In this author's experience, role playing, when thoughtfully and openly used, stimulates discussion, aids his philosophy students in realizing that complex issues are involved in life situations, and enables him to attain his goal of opening one new area of interest for each student, so that the student will continue to pursue that interest. (JMD)

Identifies ten precautions that teachers can take to prevent simulation games from failing. Precautions include providing a structured orientation; planning for the needed information level; teaching students how to role play; ensuring individual participation; and planning for debriefing. (Author/AV)

Develops technical writing skills by organizing the class as a "company." Class activities include forming the company, defining the product, and completing exercises and situations in internal and external business communication. (RL)

In a step towards moving learning out of the classroom and into the world, the State and National Parks of the United States have opened their doors to teachers and students as part of a new program called "Environmental Living Experiences." (JD)

The Simulation Game is proposed as a means of sensitizing professionals to problems and dilemmas of key team members (social workers, nurses, health educators, physicians, and clinical psychologists) in geriatric health care. The game involves role playing from cards which present difficult issues and cases in such care. (CB)

Considers possible links between development of empathy and some children's spontaneous creation of imaginary companions or situations, citing examples of Agatha Christie's "Autobiography." Questions if such activities show ability to "decenter emotionally." Suggests need for better methods of assessing emotional decentering…

Mentoring, as a method of career development, is examined. The effects of various career development options are explored, as well as formal versus informal mentoring programs. The roles mentors play (sponsor, teacher, devil's advocate, coach) are described. The Merrill Lynch mentoring program is presented, along with some guiding principles for…

Examines relationship between popular computer games and their players to discern how games motivate their players and general outcomes of popular computer game play in terms of substantive learning. The computer game environment, game economics and software, player characteristics, and how new and familiar games are played are described. (MBR)

Describes a specialized course for entrepreneurship training for students interested in operating their own business. This one-hour, year-long course for seniors focuses on teaching students business planning and management competencies. The course involves computer simulations, development of a business plan, and simulated business operation. (CT)

Concluded that improvisational drama made a definite impression on residents but that the use of creative drama with the mentally retarded cannot be generalized based on this pioneer study. Offers guidelines for further research and recommendations to parents, teachers, and caretakers of the mentally retarded.

Case studies which can be used in secondary social studies classes to teach students about the rights of persons with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities are presented. Examples of questions which can be used to stimulate discussion of the case studies are also included. (RM)

Explored the communication patterns between roommates in a residence hall, and examined the effects of a role playing module in promoting open communication. Results and suggested applications are given. (BL)

Describes an exploratory study in which alternative dramatic play areas are compared among older preschoolers. Twelve children, grouped into same-sex pairs (55 to 67 months old), were observed in various playroom environments. Results indicate that theme specific settings stimulated dramatic play while neutral areas encouraged personal fantasy…