Contends that what is being proposed as thoughtful or authentic teaching in the social studies, particularly in geography and history, is similar to the "New Social Studies" movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Discusses the origins, development, and decline of the new social studies, using one program, Project Africa, as a model. (CFR)

Maintains that global and multicultural education frequently competes for attention in the social studies curriculum. Contends that a global perspective is compatible with multicultural education. Provides a bibliographic essay describing geography activity packets and posters, reference works, and hands-on "culture kits." (CFR)

Contends that the rapid proliferation of computer technology is dramatically improving geographic instruction. Describes how instructors can identify and access easily Internet resources using Mosaic software. Concludes that these diverse and informative materials can be used in a wide variety of pedagogical tasks. (CFR)

Uses Census of Governments data from 1962-87 to examine number and distribution of U.S. nonmetropolitan government-poor counties (places that spend little on government services). Although the number of government-poor counties has declined steadily, spending levels in the 160 poorest counties actually decreased relative to the nonmetropolitan…

Four articles explain how English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers can help students create stories around pieces of music, use geography exercises to develop English and cognitive skills, learn about foreign cultures from their peers, and use magazine articles as the basis for role playing. A fifth article discusses the use of introspective…

Asserts that oral presentations of research findings by students are used in higher education. States that advice or techniques for effective speaking seldom are outlined. Provides a five-part strategy for teaching and evaluating oral communication. Includes a presentation evaluation form for assessing student performance. (CFR)

Discusses the Brotherhood program at Iles Elementary School in Lubbock, Texas. Emphasizes the program's promotion of world peace and multicultural awareness. Explains that each grade level's students conduct in-depth interdisciplinary research into a different culture. Reports that students examine such topics as the subject country's geographic…

Presents a sampling of items from the ERIC database dealing with Asia and the Pacific Rim. Urges the inclusion of these countries in the curriculum as exchange of peoples, goods, and cultures increases. Emphasizes the growing importance of the region as a global force. Includes articles and books on culture, economies, and cultural exchange…

Offers ideas for teaching children about China. Includes suggestions dealing with geography, philosophy, history, and diet. Recommends means of bringing the topics to life through games, class discussion, role playing, and other activities. (SG)

Criticizes the intrusion into Australian higher education of the corporate management model. Considers the implications of this mechanization for geography instruction. Notes centralizing tendencies and merger policies with the corresponding market imperatives of efficiency and accountability. Argues that this produces employable manpower but does…

Presents three different articles on social studies. Includes an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of textbook use in social studies and a teaching method using puppets to represent historical or political personalities for debate, discussion, and interviews. Describes a program in which students learn about geography and other cultures by…

Discusses the educational reform efforts to reorganize the social studies curriculum in the United States. Criticizes a return to conservative, traditional approaches to social studies than emphasize history and geography while ignoring more contemporary ideas. Suggests that, to develop a discipline of social studies, more scholarly pursuit and…

Describes a case study to determine whether performance tests are a feasible alternative to multiple-choice tests. Examines the difficulties of administering and scoring performance assessments. Explains that the study employed three performance tests and one multiple-choice test. Concludes that performance test administration and scoring was no…

Describes a learning exercise to combine the goal of global understanding and appreciation with global knowledge. Suggests that students (1) take a systematic inventory of their personal possessions, (2) record the origin of each on a world map, and (3) analyze and discuss their findings. Reports results of student surveys listing origins and…

Presents instructional strategies for teaching middle school students about time zones and why the earth experiences night and day. Provides instructions for helping students make and use sextants and sun dials. Describes class activities and student-teacher dialogue. (CFR)