Maintains that cooperative learning produces higher achievement, more positive relationships among students, and healthier psychological adjustment than do competitive or individualistic experiences. Describes a cooperative learning core module complete with course content and assessment strategies. Discusses advantages, disadvantages, and student…

Argues that critical awareness of the role of the emergent South African English is dependent upon (1) the acknowledgement of the first languages of learners to prevent loss or down-grading of first-language cultures, and (2) the development of techniques by which learners' first languages can be used more explicitly in classrooms where English is…

Describes a literature-based approach to helping primary students become more proficient problem solvers in mathematics. Literature-based activities were chosen to develop a sense of community in the classroom. This enabled students to develop the self-confidence to share thoughts and feelings while problem solving in small-group and class…

Examines a teaching strategy called "constructive controversy" where students are required to argue both the pro and con positions concerning a controversial current topic. Describes students' response to a class using this method to examine the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Student response was generally favorable. (MJP)

Outlines three basic learning modalities--auditory, visual, and tactile--and notes that technology can help incorporate multiple modalities within each lesson, to meet the needs of most students. Discusses the importance in multiple modality teaching of effectively assessing students. Presents visual, auditory and tactile activity suggestions.…

A survey of 1,015 fifth and sixth graders in a southern Plains state compared American Indian, African American, Hispanic, and White students' perceptions of mathematics, own ability to "learn" mathematics, role models, teacher treatment of different racial or ethnic groups, teaching practices, and academic goals. Contains 25 references.…

Explores implementation of electronic term papers (ETP), objectives of these assignments, educational benefits of the ETP, an exemplar ETP, grading of ETPs, copyright issues, and student evaluations of the approach. Includes a schematic diagram of a sample electronic term paper and a list of Web resources for developing ETPs. (MJP)

Data from a national faculty survey were used to calculate and suggest standards for lower-division class size to aid college planning. Factors considered included sector (public/private), Carnegie classification, institution size, discipline, student level, and instructional method. Results support formation of comparative distributions for class…

Presents the "Teaching Journal" as a component of the Teaching Apprenticeship in Expository Writing course offered by Ithaca College. The professor mentor and the teaching apprentice write independently about their weekly classroom observations, opinions, questions, and concerns. This process offers apprentices teaching experience and…

Presents a personal perspective of a young teacher from a rural background and his experiences teaching music in an all-boys high school in New York City's South Bronx. Includes brief recommendations for creative and innovative ideas to motivate students and keep them focused. (MJP)

Explores parts of the phenomenon of the support for, and hostility toward, the use of English in education in Asian bilingual systems. The article then sketches an educational alternative capable of making the language a shared resource for all its stakeholders. Tsui's response addresses the question of whether educational solutions are capable of…

In an experiment designed to dissociate the effects of instructional approach and system interface on learning in computer-based instruction, 18- to 30-year-old high school graduates with low mathematics ability were tested before and after completing three mathematics practice modules. Found that low ability students may not learn from computers…

Recommendations are provided for the development of multicultural competence in order for collaborating teachers to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students who are at risk of failing. Four general competencies are identified: understanding one's perspective; using effective interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving…

Discusses how students can examine global and moral issues by exploring trickster tales from different cultures. Recommends these tales for their moral component, entertainment value, and rich source of cultural knowledge. Includes criteria for selecting trickster tales for young audiences. (MJP)

Utilizes the 17th-century fur trade rivalry between the French and the English for a classroom experiment in the writing of history. Students produce their own account of a historical event based upon a reading of primary source documents. Peer reviews and teacher comments guide the students through several drafts. (MJP)