The National Council for Social studies defines Social sciences as the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence". At the elementary school level, social studies generally focuses on the local community and family. By middle and high school level, the social studies curriculum becomes more…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two different methods on primary school teacher candidates' academic achievements and attitudes toward computer-based education, and to define their views on these methods. Both the first experimental group, programmed instruction (PI), and the second experimental group, meaningful…

Simulation is the process of executing a model that describes a system with enough detail; this model has its entities, an internal state, some input and output variables and a list of processes bound to these variables. Teaching a simulation language such as general purpose simulation system (GPSS) is always a challenge, because of the way it…

Do students learn more deeply from a passage when they attempt to construct their own graphic organizers (i.e., learning by doing) than when graphic organizers are provided (i.e., learning by viewing)? In 3 experiments, learners were tested on retention and transfer after reading a passage with author-provided graphic organizers or when asked to…

This research was conducted to determine the effects of traditional instruction versus Contract Activity Packaged (CAP) versus Programmed Sequenced Learning (PLS) versus Tactual Resources (TR) on the achievement and attitudes of 32 second-year undergraduate teacher education majors enrolled in two classes of a required child-study course at a…

Comparison of 35 nurses in a traditional continuing-education workshop with 28 using a self-instructional videotape-learning package showed that both groups improved scores. Initial costs for the self-instruction package were higher, but it could prove more economical in the long run, saving participants time and money. (SK)

Investigated the effect of goal-setting instructional materials on graduate students randomly assigned to either goal-setting instruction or analysis of classroom vignettes. Pretests and posttests showed significant effects for goal-setting instruction on goal-analysis skills but no significant effects for perceptions of self-regulated learning or…

This study investigated the effects of augmenting and deleting elaborations in an existing self-instructional text for a micro-computer database application, "Microsoft Works User's Manual." A total of 60 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to the original, elaborated, or unelaborated text versions. The elaborated version…

Used in conjunction with other books in the series, this book is designed to help adults overcome their reading and spelling problems. The book begins with a progress chart, a record of achievement, and a student-tutor contract. The major part of the book consists of worksheets corresponding to the 60 daily lessons explained in a companion book.…

Used in conjunction with other books in the series, this book is designed to help adults tutor other adults to help them overcome reading and spelling problems. The book begins with a list of suggested materials for a tutor's library, information about the author, advice on setting up a tutoring schedule, and a questionnaire to be completed before…

Discusses how after a Supplemental Instruction program is up and running, it is useful to have a health check-up to see how vigorous the program is. Points out that the impacts of SI programs are diminished when activities are reduced. Presents a health checklist based on the elements of a fully functioning Supplemental Instruction program. (MZ)

Presents questions for evaluating electronic learning suppliers and materials that address the services and content provided, granularity of content, customization, flexibility, interactivity, open/closed architecture, knowledge creation, security, confidentiality, and future development potential. (SK)

The objects-first strategy to teaching programming has prevailed over the imperative-first and functional-first strategies during the last decade. However, the objects-first strategy has created added difficulties to both the teaching and learning of programming. In an attempt to confront these difficulties and support the objects-first strategy…

Students are often provided with background information before reading an assigned selection. This background information functions differently in the following reading variations: individualized reading; basal reading; big book approaches; programmed reading, the language experience approach; and predictable books. Students often pick subjects…

This paper outlines various approaches to teaching reading. The first approach considered focuses on a teacher strictly following a textbook. The paper notes that textbooks which employ programmed reading help students progress at a slow but steady rate. It then discusses the hierarchical method of state mandated objectives and testing. Features…