This paper examines the nature of student engagement in the instructional activities of eighth- and ninth-grade English classes and draws general conclusions applicable to instruction at all levels. It focuses on the teacher's pivotal role, showing that certain discourse practices elicit substantive (rather than procedural) student engagement,…

The philosophical and educational significance of the present study lies in its attempt to clarify the value and importance of the Socratic legacy for education, in addition to underscoring the difficulty of understanding that legacy. Perspectives on Socrates and his legacy, from Friedrich Nietzsche to contemporary critics, such as Bruce Kimball…

The study reported in this paper attempted to find out what evidences of active learning were displayed in the "ready," i.e., prompt and appropriate responses called for in classroom oral communication. Such an inquiry leads toward the claim that the learning process itself is a suitable arena for evaluation, and thus that the evaluation…

A seminar was designed to present AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) related information to 52 college students enrolled in Psychology 101 courses at Essex Community College in Maryland. First, a questionnaire was administered to determine student knowledge about AIDS. The next part of the procedure was an intervention in the form of a…

Cohn's theme-centered group process is designed to create a balance between concentration on a group topic or theme and the therapeutic dynamics of group interaction. This study investigated the effect of Cohn's group process on the self-concepts of ninth grade students. Four themes, or teaching units, were chosen for inclusion based on the…

Classroom ideas and resource information for teachers in the areas of visual, hearing, and mobility impairments; developmental handicaps; and mental illness are presented. For each disability three topics of discussion are introduced to help the student understand individuals who have the disability. The first discussion area deals with the…

Expectations of 432 college students regarding the following six teaching formats were studied: lecture, discussion, laboratory, personalized attention, computer-assisted instruction, and television instruction. Factor analysis procedures revealed three factors for each format: (1) evaluative had characteristics of preference and goodness and/or…

Designed as a guide for adults who wish to lead a group of 10- to 13-year-olds through a series of discoveries about preschoolers and how they grow, activity materials are presented concerning physical, intellectual, and social development (Section 1); and children's feelings (Section 2). Specifically, Section 1 discuss children's developing…

The relative effectiveness of four instructional methods for increasing the interpersonal vocational skills of 122 mildly retarded high school students was investigated. Curriculum packages featured (1) verbal presentation of problematic social situations, (2) verbal presentation coupled with behavior rehearsal, (3) videotape vignettes of problem…

This study investigated the effects of self-directed videotape experiences upon the self-concept of delinquent males. The self-directed process is a method of self-expression, and included videotape recording and playback, viewing motion picture films, and discussions. The dimensions of self-concept tested through the Self Social Symbols Task were…

A weekly group-counseling session is used with students having a range of mental and emotional disabilities in order to improve awareness and sharing of emotions, increase the repertoire of feeling words, increase listening ability, and develop empathy. Six groups composed of five to seven students each are involved, with students ranging in age…

To help adults develop an awareness of midlife issues, to encourage personal acceptance of the transition, and to introduce appropriate coping skills, a speech communication course was designed that relied on river trip activities to develop insights about this passage. The vehicle for the seminar was a four-day raft trip down the Green River,…

Critical reading and thinking abilities can be encouraged among average and above-average secondary school students through the study of literature. One approach is to give students a study sheet on the elements of the short story. The students should be led through the elements listed and given an opportunity to express their opinions about the…

The value of computer teleconferencing, which enables two or more individuals at two or more locations to communicate, is described. In short, computer teleconferencing brings the expert to the student at a time when the student has time to study, and a person can reenter the system at any time that work and home schedules permit. Once a basic…

The importance of following prescribed principles in the implementation of an effective law-related education (LRE) program is emphasized. Based on research findings that law-related education is a delinquency-prevention technique, the fact sheet lists six prescriptions for providing effective law-related education programs: (1) the use of…