Summarizes the results of a survey that revealed several dichotomies between what instructors felt introductory psychology courses delivered and what students wanted. Students desired a knowledge of people and relationships while the instructors felt the courses provided a broad overview of the discipline. Includes statistical data and analysis.…

Direction sequences initiated by coworkers to eight individuals with mental retardation were compared to those initiated by school personnel to eight special education students with moderate mental retardation in community-based vocational training. Although most directions in either setting were direct/noncomplex, more indirect commands occurred…

Describes research at the Brunel University (England) School of Education that includes the investigation of pedagogy and student learning using empirical analysis of classroom talk; uses the context of a four-year teacher education degree course for analysis. Discusses pedagogical principles of constructivism and comments on student responses to…

Presents a procedure involving students in analyzing and defending their interpretation of oral and written stories. This technique extends students' range of interpretive strategies and increases their confidence and enjoyment in reading and listening to stories in English. The procedure is adaptable to student interest and teacher proficiency.…

Describes a college psychology course activity designed to help students define the parameters of cognitive psychology. Students selected a feature film and a journal article that represented some aspect of cognitive psychology. They then wrote a paper discussing the theoretical and empirical connections between the sources and the topic. (MJP)

For over a decade, the University of Alberta's Educational Policy Studies Department has been developing and using computer-based simulations of the principalship. The program successfully invites students to suspend disbelief and engage in the simulations (interruptions, investigations, and walking tours) as though they were real work. Recent…

Asserts that service learning seeks to provide students with real-life, community-based experiences related to the content offered in the classroom. Discusses methods used to support students in writing about their service learning experiences and considers the value of reflection journals and group discussion in the learning process. (DSK)

Presents the results of a survey in which high school choral music students identified teacher behaviors that motivate students in choral rehearsal. Lists and discusses the most effective motivational behaviors: (1) creating a nurturing environment; (2) providing feedback; (3) assigning interesting repertoire; and (4) presenting achievable…

Examined the literature to answer: (1) "What outcomes have resulted from preservice teachers' involvement in service-learning activities in diverse community settings?" and (2) "What challenges exist to enhance their multicultural teaching competencies through service-learning?" Summarizes three challenges (e.g., the resiliency of preservice…

Presents an art project in which middle school students copy an artwork by a master artist, research to find a picture of the artist, and create three-dimensional portraits of the artists. Describes the project and lists the materials needed. (CMK)

Reports on the use of computerized practice tests in an undergraduate education course. In study one, students who took computerized practice exams averaged one-half letter grade higher than students who did not take computerized practice exams, and they exhibited positive attitudes toward their practice experiences. Study two replicated study one…

Examines correlations between student cognitive-motivational characteristics and perceptions of computer conferencing as a supplement to classroom instruction. Questionnaires were distributed to 209 students in eight introductory psychology classes. Results indicated perceptions positively related to intrinsic motivation, thinking skills, and task…

Examined sixth grader's views on the usefulness of learning activities, drawing on Dewey's theoretical formulations. Student-identified activities that either facilitated or did not facilitate learning suggested the components of these activities that may be most salient to students at this age and underlined the difficulty of identifying…

Broome Community College demonstrates how user satisfaction surveys contribute quality and accountability assessment data to their learning resources program review process and ultimately, to educational effectiveness. Appended in this article are the Library/Learning Resource Center Faculty and Staff Survey and the Student Use Survey. (VWC)

Describes a collaborative project called "Mystery from History" involving a rural Indiana elementary class and a computer education college class at Indiana University. Explains that the university students sent a mystery via e-mail to the elementary students in which they continued to send clues and questions until the mystery was…