A distinction should be made between movements, which spontaneously influence the course of language teaching, and projects designed to effect change or deal with specific issues or problems by research methods. A Canadian professional association has proposed a major national project on core French instruction. (MSE)

Recommendations for chairs of college-level foreign language departments include: being supportive of the department; communicating fully and openly with faculty and staff; promoting grantsmanship; and encouraging staff and faculty. Recommendations for deans working with chairs and department heads include: consulting frequently and communicating…

Surveys recent literature on computer programing focusing on psychological studies of the programing task and selected instructional issues related to precollege programing. The cognitive demands and outcomes of programing, the influence of instruction on learning, and individual differences in outcomes of programing are specifically addressed.…

Four experiments were conducted to extend the "descriptions" approach to differences in using retrieval cues among second and fourth graders and college adults. Results indicate that deficits in discriminability and constructability contribute independently to developmental differences in using retrieval cues and suggest reasons for such…

Describes two microcomputer-assisted adaptations of traditional methods of teaching word recognition (alphabet-spelling method) and phonics (sound-symbol method) which are designed for use with students who have severe physical and communication handicaps, language disabilities, or fine motor problems. A clinical protocol is outlined for…

The results of synthesizing 40 studies regarding the effects of gender characteristics of instructional materials on students indicate that sex-equitable materials can improve both male and female students' learning experiences and assist in developing gender-balanced associations and more flexible sex role attitudes. Effects on preference and…

A specialized curriculum focusing on interrelationships of rural resident, the land, and small community and offering an alternative to urban-based literature could include units on American folklore, fictional accounts of early settlement, displaced Americans, small community life, the ecology issue, the individual-land relationship, historical…

Reports on use of a tutorial program written in STAF2 authoring language to replace human teaching in an undergraduate biology mastery learning program. Learning was assessed cognitively in terms of Bloom's Taxonomy. Students taught by the STAF2 computer program attained significantly higher scores for retention, application, and evaluation of…

Describes a study of junior high students which investigated academic achievement and higher cognitive skill development outcomes of a computer programming course in which two augmentations to traditional BASIC instruction were compared. A model for understanding learning outcomes is presented, suggesting ways to augment instruction to focus on…

Discusses factors that should be considered before purchasing a computer, given the objectives of computer literacy; considering programing in Pascal or Logo, computer-assisted instruction, teaching practical applications, art and music, special education, telecommunications, administration, and library management. A chart showing prices and…

Thirty-five articles dealing with Mexican American are organized around the following topics: social justice and the legal system, the cost of being Mexican Americans, political participation, labor force experience, undocumented migrants, language, fertility and mortality, socialization and the family, and changing world views and cultural…

This document was produced by the authors based on their research for the report "Who's Missing Out?: Access and Equity in Vocational Education and Training" [ED495192] and is an added resource for further information. The original report explores access to vocational education and training (and university) currently and historically…

In this issue of "NetNews," the focus is on dysgraphia, a form of writing disability. Both dyslexia and dysgraphia fall under the category of specific learning disability. They may be related because significant language processing problems can impact both reading and spelling--although there is less incidence of dysgraphia. Dysgraphia…

Middle school subjects of 13-21 years (from 4 nationalities) were used for studying the relationship between progressive cognition and personality characteristics by Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices and Eysenk's Personality Questionnaire. The results showed: (1) the correlation and stepwise regression were completely identical: P score was…

This book looks at the implications of educational practices in communities that are differentiated by issues of language, culture, and technology. Trifonas argues that a "community" is at once a gathering of like-minded individuals in solidarity of purpose and conviction, and also a gathering that excludes others. The chapters in this…