Examines why the U.S. educational system often produces students who graduate without adequate writing skills and how the stage was set through a political climate that created lowered expectations of student skills. The article explores the failed attempts of the process schools of composition, its counterweight known as deconstruction, and the…

Reports on a study designed to replicate and extend existing literature on important factors and abilities that influence sight-reading skills in music. Finds that, in the beginning stages of training, sight-reading skill is not correlated significantly with ability to perform rehearsed music. (CFR)

The fourth article in a four-part series on instructional design discusses evaluation of a psychomotor skills unit taught in preclinical dental education. Issues examined include piloting of instructional materials, analysis and revision of materials based on student performance, syllabus design and content, influence of faculty characteristics,…

A school for deaf and hard-of-hearing preschoolers organized and presented a circus, with the objectives of improving reading and writing skills, interaction and cooperation, math and science readiness, fine and gross motor skills, and self-esteem. The students performed as lion tamers, lions, tumblers, weight lifters, and clowns. (JDD)

A cognitive approach to teaching property law is illustrated with a case in which an individual's blood sample was used to develop a valuable serum. Applicability of property rights was at issue. It is suggested that cognitive thinking can inform and improve analysis and instruction in evolving areas of law. (MSE)

Identified three preschool models operating in an urban school district. Compared the mastery of basic skills and the social, motor, language, and adaptive development of 295 children who attended the preschools. Found that children in preschools that allowed child-initiated learning demonstrated the greatest mastery of basic skills. (MM)

Reviews research concerning the use of modeling strategies in music instruction. Asserts that nonverbal instruction is clearly preferable to verbal description in many situations. Concludes that modeling is effective in promoting musical skills across a wide age distribution. Argues that modeling is of value in teaching virtually any musical…

Pretests measuring critical thinking ability and mental alertness were administered to 72 first-year college students at the beginning of an introductory computer programing course. Posttests administered at the end of the semester showed significant improvement in both areas, indicating that instruction in programing improves students' critical…

Discusses a sixth grade teacher's experience in turning a classroom project into a book. Offers advice for teachers on becoming writers. Explores obstacles, benefits, and suggestions on writing, editing, and publishing work. Describes a class project that resulted in the cleanup of a toxic waste site and the publication of "The Kid's Guide to…

Peers with mild intellectual disabilities taught first aid skills to 4 students (ages 7-11) with moderate intellectual disabilities. Results suggested that the peer teaching program resulted in acquisition of first aid skills, and the participants' skills generalized to the home, to novel simulated-injury locations, and to new trainers.…

The Process Skills Rating Scales were designed to rate how well a student uses those process skills that develop an ability to think, reason, and search for knowledge independently and to communicate and interact effectively with all members of society. Forms are available for students (elementary and secondary), teachers, and parents. (JDD)

A theoretical description of hypertext is presented, and three applications of hypertext are discussed: electronic studying allows linkage of electronic note cards for writing and interrelating concepts; literary exploration allows construction and interpretation of stories with provided literary elements; in qualitative research, hypertext helps…

A self-help skills instructional program used graduated guidance as a method of teaching independent dressing to an 11-year-old girl with profound mental retardation, seizure disorder, deafness, and blindness. Dressing skills improved with instruction and were maintained. Task analyses are presented for putting on socks, shorts, and shirts. (JDD)

This study, which involved training four young adults with moderate or severe mental retardation on housekeeping and janitorial work skills, found that simulation instruction based on general case methodology can be used to teach complex sequences, that naturalistic instruction seemed more efficient than simulation instruction, and that neither…

This article presents an integrative skills assessment approach for teaching students of social work to perform assessments. The approach is based on technical eclecticism and combines three practice models: (1) psychosocial, (2) cognitive-behavioral, and (3) systems. Specific teaching strategies as well as shortcomings of this approach are…