Explores how district curriculum leaders select literacy programs and materials for their district and what factors influenced their decisions. Explains the methodology used and examines the findings which emerged upon analysis of the data gathered. Concludes most districts assembled a curriculum committee comprised of teachers and administrators…

Focuses on the use of authentic materials in teaching English as a Second Language. Issues addressed include students' interest in "real life" materials, the role of the teacher, and how to teach using authentic materials. Sample criteria for selecting authentic materials are included. (Author/VWL)

This study is a genre analysis which explores the specific discourse community of tax accountants. Tax computation letters from one international accounting firm in Hong Kong were analyzed and compared. To probe deeper into the tax accounting discourse community, a group of tax accountants from the same firm was observed and questioned. The texts…

I. Klugkist, O. Laudy, and H. Hoijtink (2005) presented a Bayesian approach to analysis of variance models with inequality constraints. Constraints may play 2 distinct roles in data analysis. They may represent prior information that allows more precise inferences regarding parameter values, or they may describe a theory to be judged against the…

This manuscript addresses the impact of traumatic events on children and the relevancy of treatment using books and stories with children in grief. It also addresses research, efficacy, and some limitations of these interventions. Finally, it recommends therapeutic strategies and suggests guidance for material selection, offering a listing of…

This teacher development study closely examined a teacher's practice for the purpose of understanding how she selected and implemented instructional materials, and correspondingly how these processes changed as she developed her problem-based practice throughout a school year. Data sources included over 20 hours of planning and analysis meetings…

Because all human communication, whether among native or non-native speakers, is inherently problematic, ambiguous, and subject to negotiation, learners of a second language should be taught to cope with ambiguity, approximations, hypotheses, and guesses rather than be pushed to find the "right answer." Much of the instructional material…

A discussion of authentic materials for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction focuses on the necessary balance between authenticity and comprehensibility. A variety of definitions of authentic materials offered in the literature are considered, and then compared with published ESL materials that are claimed to be authentic. A new…

Stakeholders in Taiwan's process for reviewing and approving senior vocational school (SVS) textbooks were surveyed to identify ways of improving the process. The questionnaire contained items examining respondents' demographic characteristics, their opinions of Taiwan's existing SVS textbook review and approval process, and suggestions for…

Second language (L2) instructional texts often lack genuineness. Rather than instances of real language use, these texts are adaptations or simplifications of genuine texts or texts created with the intention of illustrating selected features of the L2 system. The purpose of simplification, adaptation, exemplification, and control is to facilitate…

Three issues are critical to the establishment of valid criteria and procedures for determining effective use of computer-based instruction. One issue related to educational software evaluation is that few of the evaluation criteria have been research validated, but, instead, are often based only on speculation and intuition. Criteria are…

Intended for special educators, the book is designed to provide information for assessing classroom needs, making decisions about purchasing software and hardware, and using the microcomputer effectively. Each chapter begins with statements to think about and a list of sources. At the end of each chapter are questions and exercises designed to aid…

A trainer specializing in producing media packages for sales training tells what they are, how to use them, and how to put them together. (Author)

A study of facilitating anatomy student learning through the use of multimedia devices. (CH)

Rational selection of educational resources is a necessary step to effective teaching. Four criteria to consider in selection are the instructional objectives to be achieved by students, the resources available for use, the characteristics of students to be taught, and the teacher's ability and preferences. (Author)