This article describes a train-the-trainers course that provided training in sound instructional strategies to 10 assistive technology specialists who work with people who are visually impaired. Topics included conducting assessments, writing training proposals, developing the curriculum, planning lessons, and analyzing learning styles. All…

Based on the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach, the Content Area Program Enhancement (CAPE) model fosters a collaborative environment among teachers and administrators to improve achievement for English language learners. In three predominantly Hispanic middle schools in south Texas, CAPE improved reading and mathematics scores for all…

Introduces the Parent Writing Folder Review assessment strategy for eighth-grade children's writing, whereby parents discuss the student's writing with them and complete a written evaluation. Describes how evaluation of parents' reflections about children's writing found that they indicated growth in children's writing, identified areas for…

Lists seven characteristics of online instruction, and discusses related questions. Topics include costs, increased usage of educational technology, access to information/communication for isolated groups, the present text-based system and technological change, the pattern of hypertext, effectiveness of online instruction, and the student/teacher…

Provides a brief discussion of the possibilities and pitfalls of using video for a research or final project. Outlines some pre-production questions to ask and guidelines to follow in producing a video for academic credit. Discusses technical considerations, content, and issues of confidentiality and ethics. (MJP)

Presents an introduction and overview concerning integrating use of the Internet with citizenship education. Briefly reviews Web sites useful for citizenship education. These include Thomas, which provides summaries of bills currently going through Congress, and the Electronic Policy Network. (MJP)

Recounts a series of primary grade-level literacy-related activities using Margaret Miller's, "Who Uses This?" The book features the occupational tools of various professions and the activities emphasize word construction and recognition, problem solving, shared reading, and interactive writing. Includes a nine-item selected bibliography. (MJP)

Provides a quick and personal overview of the trends in education and literacy over the last 25 years. Outlines a teaching strategy that has borrowed something from each of the trends. The approach combines cooperative learning with interdisciplinary language arts stations and social studies. (MJP)

Recommends using primary source documents in middle school history instruction and examines several strategies for making them more accessible. Describes a course on 17th-century social reformers that utilized paraphrasing of the historical language used in primary documents followed by focus questions and class discussion. (MJP)

Provides lesson plans for grades 3-5 mathematics/science; grades 1-5 and grade 7 reading and language; grades 2 and 5 science; grades 3-4 and grades 5-8 social studies. Lists print and nonprint resources and discusses library media skills and subject area objectives, instructional roles, activities, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up. (PEN)

Connects the personal classroom experiences of a sociology professor with the changes in teaching methods over the last 30 years. Unequivocally, supports the more interactive teaching methods such as collaborative learning, role playing, simulations, and debates. Valuable appendix includes detailed descriptions of six group activities. (MJP)

Reviews the value of topic work with regard to the British National Curriculum guidelines on curriculum planning. After years of concentrating on issues of content in planning, consideration of basic aims and values in education is again urged. Topic work allows teachers to teach in depth areas of personal expertise and interest in a local…

Provides a succinct introduction to the history and classroom use of labor folk songs. Presents the lyrics to "John Henry,""Miner's Lifeguard," and "Talking Union," along with some background on each song. Includes a bibliography of books, articles, song collections, labor resources, organizations, and periodicals.…

Presents a lesson plan focused on the events surrounding the 1894 Pullman railroad car strike. Reviews the particulars of the strike (the federal government used armed force to end the strike) and then presents a simulation where students role play members of the investigating presidential commission. Includes related documents. (MJP)

Examines the techniques used in teaching an abnormal psychology class in a multimedia environment with two computers and a variety of audiovisual equipment. Students respond anonymously to various questions via keypads mounted on their desks, then immediately view and discuss summaries of their responses. (MJP)