In a learning community, everyone must participate in decision making. Involving students in developing classroom rules, solving community problems, and reviewing school and district policies has lasting benefits. Service learning, mentoring, and mediation programs help students develop civic responsibility, interpersonal competence, and…

Describes the development of a computer-supported cooperative problem-solving environment designed to help librarians and remote access users work together in performing an online search. Results of a study of graduate students indicate that groups using the computer demonstrated more effective skills than those performing the same tasks face to…

Explores what an emphasis on reading as social practice can tell us about the nature of reading. The article maintains that what counts as a "proper" reading of the text is highly constrained by the classroom context and that classrooms should be discourse sites where specific ways of reading are required and particular regimes of…

A teacher developed a program to help primary students who were easily frustrated and acted out in a disruptive fashion. She established a six-week program to help them learn anger management skills. Students were guided by the teacher and peer facilitators who were capable of demonstrating peaceful solutions to problems. (Author/SM)

Discusses the educational philosophy of Henry Maier, a developmentalist who focuses on traditionally defined child and youth practices. Claims that children thrive in a developmentally safe environment that includes exploratory, child-paced time to manipulate objects, interact with others in sociodramatic play, and solve problems. Discusses signs…

Three studies involving 174 elementary school students supported the hypothesis that training in an inductive strategy would enhance performance on tests measuring fluid intelligence, support learning school-relevant declarative knowledge, and improve problem solving. Implications for teaching and testing are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses ways child care personnel can develop a proactive customer service plan that meets families' needs and expectations while minimizing the probability of confrontations with angry parents. Outlines a five-step conflict-resolution strategy that offers a "win-win" approach for both parents and providers when problems do occur. (TJQ)

Today's "digital child" has never known a time bereft of computers, change, or easy communication systems. Computers and other technologies have irreversibly transformed kids' learning environment, temperament, and conceptions of work and playtime, relationships, location, technological advancement, relevant knowledge, and flexibility. (MLH)

Presents the application of decision-theoretic technique to a computer-based tutoring system for elementary mechanics. Uses sound probabilistic reasoning and a student model to identify learners' misconceptions. Focuses on the integration of Bayesian belief networks, item response theory, decision analysis, and database management systems in…

Focuses on issues related to safety, education, and entertainment in classroom demonstrations. Explains to preservice teachers how to conduct a demonstration to motivate students. Lists several elements that should be included for a successful demonstration which include purpose, planning, repeatability, simplicity, safety, visibility, and…

Describes an elementary school counselor, a "major player" who helped transform her school into a problem-solving culture. If school counselors have a driving vision, secure identity, solid counseling capabilities, and believe themselves to be educational leaders, they can help equally courageous principals transform learning…

A classroom-wide intervention on direction following, sharing, and problem solving was embedded in a story and song format for 53 Head Start children. Results indicate significant improvements for participants on adaptive behaviors, social interaction, and attentional measures. Children at risk for behavior disorders either significantly improved…

Examines the experiences of a group of urban, bilingual teacher-researchers. Considers how teacher research raised teachers' awareness about political dimensions of their own practices and how these teachers took steps to improve their practices and school settings. Proposes that teacher research empowers teachers to think and act like…

Let's Get Real, a competitive program in its 5th year, challenges teams of secondary students (in public, private, and home schools) to solve actual problems posed by corporate co- sponsors. Proposed solutions are presented at corporate headquarters and judged by corporate executives, scientists, and engineers. (MLH)

Introduces an activity that features 16 oceanography work stations and integrates other disciplines. Assigns students different oceanic life forms and requires students to work in stations. Explains seven of 16 stations which cover oil spills, the periodic table, ocean floor, currents, and classification of oceanic organisms. (YDS)