Presenting syntheses of research on effective instruction in 30 program areas, this paper is designed as a resource to assist teachers in expanding and refining their repertoire of teaching strategies and to guide instructional planning and decision making. For each program area, the paper presents a "finding" (a one-sentence statement…

This document contains a 40-hour course in programmable logic controllers (PLC), developed for a business-industry technology resource center for firms in eastern Pennsylvania by Northampton Community College. The 10 units of the course cover the following: (1) introduction to programmable logic controllers; (2) DOS primer; (3) prerequisite…

This study was conducted to answer three major questions relative to undergraduate preservice secondary education programs: (1) What courses in pedagogy are required of all secondary education majors and how many credits are awarded in each area? (2) What are the current practices relative to student teaching credit and evaluation? and (3) How…

The intent of the study discussed in this paper was to document and describe discrepancies between the content of university course work and practices observed in the schools and to examine the thinking and decision making of preservice teachers faced with dilemmas created by the discrepancies. Two fifth year programs that integrated course work…

These supplementary units are designed to help students with special needs learn and apply machine shop skills. Nine competencies that are difficult for special needs students to grasp or that would help them get a future job in the field were chosen from the regular machine shop curriculum. Specific objectives for these competencies are listed at…

This learning module for a high school course in graphic communications is designed to introduce students to the Aldus Page Maker 3.0 software for desktop publishing. The module activities allow students to use the software to prepare a two-page publication. The six sections of the module are the following: module objectives, content outline,…

The case study method refers to a descriptive research document based on a real-life situation, problem, or incident. Cases describe situations calling for analysis, planning, decision-making, and/or action. The method requires that every attempt be made to provide an unbiased, multidimensional perspective in presenting the case and arriving at…

This business financial applications document combines the curriculum guide, simulations, and the test bank for the 1-semester course. The guide provides students with an overview of the banking industry used for entry-level positions or advancement into an occupationally specific course. It begins with a course description, suggested scope and…

This document is part of a series that seeks to help people think constructively about foreign policy issues, to improve citizen involvement, and to encourage debate on public issues. The document examines the history of the conflict in Vietnam, both before and during U.S. involvement. Options that the document suggests for debate appear under the…

The lessons in this unit are designed primarily for Missouri vocational agriculture instructors participating in the Farm Business Management Analysis program. Each of the 10 lessons in the unit is a self-contained instructional package and includes material for monthly classroom sessions for young and adult farmers and for individualized…

The current status of computer-aided manufacturing in the 4-year industrial technology programs in the United States was studied. All industrial technology department chairs were mailed a questionnaire divided into program information, equipment information, and general comments sections. The questionnaire was designed to determine the subjects…

This document presents student readings that address a variety of environmental issues. The individual articles present a global perspective that is both alarming and hopeful. Drawing from events and situations in both the northern and southern hemispheres, the articles describe a world in crisis. By critically examining the status quo, the…

Project EXCEL is a federally-funded workplace literacy program involving hotel enterprises in the San Francisco (California) Bay area. Its focus is on identification and instruction of literacy skills essential to job success for limited-English-proficient (LEP) workers. Training is intended to enable employees to understand written work orders,…

This document contains all pertinent information and essential background data necessary to implement the 2+2 electronics program at the high school level. An introduction describes development of the electronics technology 2+2 project that was a joint effort among San Antonio College and Judson, Northside, and North East Independent School…

This packet contains a curriculum guide, a set of lesson plans, a student manual, and a competency test packet for the Building Trades II course, the second year of a 2-year, 2-unit (350 hour) preemployment program for students in grades 11-12. This technical course is designed to develop the basic skills associated with builders. An additional…