Four papers are included, the first being an April 12, 1973 interview with U. S. Representative Martha W. Griffiths regarding a study authorized by Congress on welfare programs. Seymour L. Wolfbein and Karl T. Schlotterbeck present a statement on H. R. 1, a proposed solution to the welfare problem, before the Senate Finance Committee on January…

This paper presents some preliminary findings from a study with the two aims of examining gender differences in online participation and methods for obtaining better online debate. A number of research methods were used. The study involved a WebCT conference for a total population of 123 second-year undergraduate students at the University of…

Carrying out argumentative discussion online has become rather common in higher education. This task is traditionally supported by asynchronous collaboration tools, but this paper suggests that also synchronous supports could be useful. This paper focuses on scaffolding the knowledge construction: the work of two student moderators jointly…

This curriculum unit focuses attention on the evolving relationship the United States has with the emerging East Asian giant, China. Developed by the Choices for the 21st Century Education Project, Choices material places special emphasis on the importance of educating students in their participatory role as citizens. The unit considers the global…

Thirty-one 6th-grade students with and without mild disabilities participated in an eight-week project-based investigation about immigration to the United States. Students were assigned the role of the immigrants or opponents of immigration and asked to debate desirability of immigration. Debates promoted high levels of engagement and equal…

Focuses on an undergraduate course, "Outside Politics: How Minorities Play the Political Game". Describes how to create a foundation for active and collaborative learning and to promote critical thinking, discussion, and writing through reading assignments. Discusses the use of debates and role playing, autobiographies and videos, and…

Presents results of a study of the effects on viewers of the first presidential debate in the 1992 election. Compares audience perception of candidates' image with audience gain of issue knowledge. Shows that viewers learned a lot about candidates' issue positions. Claims that Ross Perot's image improved. (HB)

Critiques articles by Robert Kozma (IR 529 138) and Richard Clark (EJ 294 173) on the influence of media on learning. The author argues that Clark and Kozma are raising different questions and suggests that researchers focus on the effectiveness of whole units of instruction rather than on individual components. (Contains 14 references.) (KRN)

Presents a unit on evolution and creation theories in which students explore the legal issues surrounding the teaching of evolution and creation in biology. Students write preliminary essays, study conflict resolution techniques, and conduct a moot trial of the Scopes case of 1925. A course outline is provided. (MDH)

Presents learning activities focusing on the office and nature of the Presidency, campaign election procedures, and the necessity of informed citizen choice. Includes activities on polling, voting procedure, vocabulary, campaigns, candidate qualifications and debates. Discusses teaching about the difference between political advertisements and…

Presents debates between young people in China's special economic zones and three educators who find that these areas create their own unique problems for China. Cautions that this group comes in contact with conflicting ideas, values, and beliefs. Warns private interests may create an unequal standard of living with the rest of China. (NL)

Describes student forums as a means for students to learn through role-playing instead of reading a textbook or listening to a lecture. Explains that students debate the issue of independence of the U.S. judiciary in this sample forum. Provides detailed roles for students willing to express their positions during the panel discussion. (CMK)

In a teaching experiment, 16 face-to-face and 11 e-mail Finnish university students studied academic debating in an argumentation course. Results indicated the e-mail students learned to identify and choose relevant grounds, while face-to-face students improved in putting forward counter-argumentation. The study suggests that argumentation skills…

Provides two teaching activities to help students analyze political debates from a curriculum for middle and high schools called "Presidential Debates: A Teacher's Guide". Designed by the Commission on Presidential Debates and Kids Voting USA, it includes : (1) "The Techniques of Persuasion"; and (2) "It's Your Turn to be a Political Reporter."…

Describes an activity called "Critical Analysis of Literature." Students read, think, debate, and write about controversial books, examining whether each novel should be included in the school curriculum. This teaches students to critically analyze information, develop an appreciation for literature, and develop a respect for thinking on their…