This paper reports on a research project that sought to gain a deeper understanding of the contribution that universities make to the professional learning of teachers. The particular case studied was a group of learners who were engaged in an in-service teacher education course for further education (FE) whilst also working as lecturers in FE…

Computer and video gaming are often considered to be potential routes to the development of aptitude and interest in using other forms of information technology (IT). The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the extent to which young people who play games engage in related IT practices, such as creating and sharing content or…

In their commitment to raising standards successive Conservative and Labour governments have moved progressively to tighter prescription of school policy and more far reaching proscription of practices deemed unacceptable. This article examines how 12 headteachers construct the policy environment and how they respond to it in the schools they…

This article discusses the relationship between the newly identified learning guide and personal learning. It draws on recent research that has critically examined the role of the personal tutor in secondary schools and colleges. The similarity in the two roles is discussed, and findings that may assist learning guides to have the impact…

The deliberate rewriting of lecture notes into forms suitable for study and review is the key to successful learning. Using the outline technique helps students to think in terms of what the main points are and what are examples or secondary points. The divided page technique allows students to quiz themselves daily on the material they must…

Reader, writers, and teachers of expository prose should pay closer attention to the question and answer (Q&A) format's theoretical and practical implications. The Q&A format contributes to the seemingly endless succession of questions and answers and is part of that flight from one signifier to another characteristic of postmodern…

A principal and two teachers of a local elementary school were interviewed to establish a shared definition of humor in the classroom. A multidimensional definition emerged with intellectual, spiritual, and physical aspects. The teachers were observed to determine if specific uses of humor would be evident in their classrooms. Four types of…

A discussion is presented of the value and benefits of using questions in the classroom that will develop the critical thinking abilities of students. Some of the benefits of employing questions in classroom teaching are related to the affective domain, being psychological in nature, some are evaluative in that they provide clues to the extent of…

Application of the direct instruction paradigm to reading comprehension skills involves providing a problem-solving strategy through demonstration and modeling, guiding strategy application, and creating opportunities for independent strategy application. Examples of the approach to teach sequential relationships and main idea-supporting…

Responds to Robert Slavin's unfavorable evaluation of mastery learning by advocating a wide variety of learning methods and strategies. Mentions a recent paper discussing the need for mastery learning improvements, initial prerequisites, a supportive home environment, reading automaticity, and teaching higher mental processes. (MLH)

Explains the distinct features of both mastery learning and mastery teaching systems, highlighting their major foci, strengths, and weaknesses. Despite their differences, the systems can complement each other by providing teachers with powerful tools to enhance their instructional effectiveness. Includes 21 references. (MLH)

Conceptually-based teaching relies on the premise that skills can be acquired through instruction or intervention directed at the acquisition or formation of concepts defining those skills. Research indicates that methods directed at conceptual change result in gains in complex teaching skills and that concepts mediate skills. (TJH)

Explores some issues of adult learning, concentrating on three areas: (1) the conditions under which adults are most likely to learn; (2) strategies that trainers can adopt to enable this to take place; and (3) implications for the training organization sponsor. (Author/JOW)

The triarchic theory of intelligence (Sternberg et al.) includes three types of intellectual elements: metacomponents, performance components, and knowledge-acquisition components. Recent research on metacognition and giftedness and on availability and flexibility of cognitive style indicates that interaction among all these elements may provide a…

Reports on a study which reinforces prior findings on melodic memory that show a majority of students do not sing accurately enough after only one hearing of a melody to benefit from vocalization memory techniques. Questions whether vocalization can be a memory reinforcer in melodies that are shorter and simpler than those used in this research.…