Examines the way one ninth-grade English teacher used the film "Dances with Wolves" as part of a thematic unit entitled, "Strength from Diversity." Shows how the film was used and provides responses from many students in the course to the film. (HB)

Studies the pedagogical growth of two student art teachers as measured by their language during practicum interviews. Measured the level of description of teaching activity and level of explanation of activity success. Delineates the value of this research and notes factors that limit the drawing of broader conclusions. (DSK)

The purpose of this study was to examine reflections of students who engaged in interactive reflective journal writing with a course instructor; the strategy was integrated into a graduate-level computer-mediated course. Findings suggest that the process of reflection may be actively facilitated through interactive journal writing. (Author/AEF)

Describes the use of a multi-part journal format, known as the synthesis journal, in academic assistance composition classes. The journal promotes students' abilities to synthesize ideas from four major sources--text, lecture, class discussion, and personal experience--and encourages higher-order thinking skills without shifting attention from the…

Describes the results of a teaching experiment conducted to investigate the effect of journal writing on achievement in and attitudes toward mathematics. The results of ANCOVA suggest that journal writing has a positive impact on middle school students' (n=104) conceptual understanding, procedural knowledge, and mathematical communication, but not…

Using a case study account of features of the zone of proximal development in language teaching and learning, this study analyzed 95 exchanges in interactive dialogue journals written over 10 months between a 6-year-old Farsi speaker beginning to learn English from his Canadian teacher. Suggests the value of analyzing language learning and…

Investigated whether modeling the instructional strategy of mathematics discourse by a university professor during a mathematics methods course would influence preservice teachers' knowledge and understanding of mathematical discourse as an instructional strategy. Data from preservice teachers' journals suggested the potential for positive…

Uses journals to record perceptions of student teachers of music during a pre-service teaching experience and determines factors that strongly affect perception. Indicates that expectations and evaluations were lower for students teaching at the elementary level when it was their second placement. (CMK)

Recounts a collaboration between an early childhood teacher educator and a kindergarten teacher in team-teaching an undergraduate early childhood education course. Discusses course activities initiated by the collaboration, including having the students keep journals of their learning experiences, a technique that allowed the instructors and…

A high school teacher researched the use of journals with art students. The teacher describes the research, obstacles, and redirection, noting that though students were not enthusiastic about journals in art class, many admitted that writing helped with their art. The research project improved communication between her and her students. (SM)

Investigated the understandings of the relationship between caring and teaching brought by elementary student teachers to their first field placements. Data from electronic dialog journals indicated that student teachers believed caring to be an important part of their teaching lives. They had three commonly held understandings of caring:…

Reports on use of poetry as a teaching tool. Discusses value of reading poetry to students daily, and presents writing samples from student journals. Includes definitions of forms of poetry and guidelines for sharing poetry. (DLH)

Stresses that teacher educators should model portfolio assessment in their classrooms in order to encourage reflective thinking and develop future teachers' notions of assessment. Describes the aspects of the theme-based portfolio. Discusses how to evaluate theme-based portfolios, providing questions for peer review and a microteaching peer…

Examines evidence from foreign student learner diaries to identify factors inherent in moving to another country and culture. Explores how these may affect students' language learning and suggests ways in which teachers and course designers need to take account of them. (Author/VWL)

A case study is described that examines the experience of a seventh-grader with learning disabilities in written expression and his use of word prediction and speech feedback software during journal writing. Results indicate instruction and instructional feedback play a critical role in student success, regardless of the availability of…