Investigated the use of one mathematics-classroom situation, the decimal-point situation, in an inservice course for elementary teachers. Data from questionnaires, interviews, whole-class discussions, and elementary-student interviews supported the assertion that using specific problematic situations in teacher education has the potential to…

Investigated the production of professional portfolios to facilitate dialogs between student teachers and their cooperating teachers. Surveys and interviews indicated that participants' perceptions of the usefulness of portfolios to achieve this end varied from one phase of the process to the next, and student teachers and mentors differed in…

A Grinnell College (Iowa) study investigated whether students (n=200) felt that balanced discussion of racial/diversity issues was possible and why they did or did not want to discuss the issues. Most thought balanced discussion was impossible, feared a single viewpoint would dominate, and feared reprisal for speaking against the dominant…

Reports the outcomes of a video conferencing trial in an undergraduate mass lecture context. Highlights effects on students and staff, and supports issues through a formative and summative evaluation. Surveys, focus groups, interviews, video recordings, exam results and reflective diaries provide data for the evaluations. (Author/AEF)

Investigated beginning teachers' beliefs about diversity issues. Interviews with beginning teachers graduated from a program that emphasized the development of critical reflection and moral decision making indicated that the confluence of field experiences in professional development centers, seminar-related discourse, and critical reflection…

Describes teacher professional groups being implemented in Chilean secondary schools to improve the quality and equity of public education, examining utilization of research and theory development on educational policy and changes in educational systems. Discusses implementation of the groups and examines what has been learned via case studies and…

Presents the materials and procedures for an instructional activity using a student forum to discuss litigious activity in the United States. The forum is an organized role play where students assume the representative roles including a single working mother, the CEO of an insurance company, a corporate lawyer. (MJP)

Recommends using focus group interviews and other discussion techniques, generally used in business, to examine social studies issues. Outlines and discusses how these techniques (systems thinking, mental models, shared vision, team learning) can greatly enhance social studies instruction of current events and controversial issues. (MJP)

This article describes the establishment of a "women's issues" group with middle-school gifted girls. Ground rules for the group, selection of materials for discussion, issues discussed, and outcomes of the group are highlighted. Participants were found to like learning, like thinking about abstract issues, and have high academic goals. (CR)

Considers how to address the topic of diversity in library and information science education, based on six possible scenarios that address situations dealing with proportional representation in library collections, minority recruitment, stereotypes, English-only policies, affirmative action, and immigrants. (LRW)

Discusses Boyer's proposal to incorporate the seven human commonalities into college courses so that students will become less parochial and more global individuals. Describes the application of this commonalities approach to both a general education course and an introductory course for biology majors. Commonalities are presented in a…

Compares male and female perceptions of and confidence in an experimental physics class at the University of Arkansas. The class, a National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored project, attempts to improve the educational experience for all students. Women made statistically significant gains in confidence and attitude toward science in the…

Notes that there is a rich literature within social studies education promoting the teaching of controversial issues. Observes that, despite this, teachers continue to be cautious, only giving controversies a token nod in curricula. Suggests four reasons why controversial content continues to be difficult for teachers to implement. (DSK)

Describes use of an interactive Web forum to provide a safe vehicle for social work students to dialogue concerning the dynamics of social oppression and cultural diversity. Analyzes usage patterns of the website and data from student evaluations. Offers recommendations for using computer technology to meet the challenges inherent in teaching…

Describes a lesson consisting of activities such as a mock town hall meeting, forming a lobby group, and attending a town hall meeting. Focuses on community-based issues and the role of citizens in bringing about change at the local level. (CMK)