This article briefly reviews problem-solving deficits in learning-disabled adolescents; describes decision stories; and explores how they can be used to make students more active, problem-solving learners. Three decision stories are presented to demonstrate their potential for helping students approach and/or solve academic and social problems.…

Two hearing-impaired students, aged 11 and 12, with differing American Sign Language and English-language skills, participated in a program which instructed them in summarization skills based on a knowledge of story structure. Subjects' knowledge of story structure rose dramatically, and the performance level was maintained in one subject.…

Supports the use of authentic listening materials for students at all levels of English as a second language. A model of listening comprehension instruction that uses news broadcast materials in beginning and advanced student lesson plans is described. (Author/CB)

This study found that a videotape instructional package (involving viewing videotapes, on-site prompting, and reinforcement) was effective in helping 3 children (ages 8-9) with autism to acquire and generalize grocery purchasing skills in community settings. Skill acquisition was rapid and transferred to other settings. (Author/JDD)

Describes a project at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore that enables at-risk children to develop Internet skills. Discusses the recruitment and training of volunteer tutors, promotion of the project, and peer recruitment. A sidebar provides a list of Internet sites used in the lessons. (AEF)

Learning situated in authentic settings such as the workplace can provide peer and expert models and a physical environment that enhance problem solving and transfer of learning. In such settings, learners can access the social and cultural aspects of vocational skills. (SK)

Teachers in a mainstream elementary school setting initiated a program called "Circle of Friends," to provide support for a student with deafness and behavior problems and for other students having difficulty making friends. Learning activities involved interpreting the term "friend," helping students get to know each other, celebrating their…

Summarizes alternatives to using live animals for the teaching of veterinary medicine both currently and over time. Advantages of using teaching alternatives include low cost, accessibility, completeness, psychomotor skill training, ease of repetitive use, and humanness to both the animal and the person. (Author/MDH)

An approach to testing medical students' clinical decision-making skills identifies key features (critical steps in resolution of a clinical problem) and presents a clinical case scenario followed by questions focusing on those key features. Key-feature problems provide flexibility on issues of question format, multiple responses to questions, and…

Suggestions provided to college students preparing to write a library research paper are presented. They address topic preparation and research, use of sources, information-gathering procedures, organization of the paper's content, and presentation of references. (MSE)

Discusses the effects of mastery learning and criterion-referenced grading schemes on student memory and motivation to succeed. Indicates that such programs are effective in college level developmental education programs. Provides suggestions for establishing criterion-referenced grading schemes, including several variants of mastery grading…

Using a series of reversal designs, interventions to improve the active engagement and peer social skills of five preschool boys with autism were investigated. In contrast to intervention for engagement, peer social skill intervention resulted in "free effects" for all participants, including increased engagement with peers and exposure…

Presents an annotated bibliography about using writing to aid mathematics instruction, proposing a new research model. Discusses the new model, procedural and affective aspects of compiling and annotating the bibliography, and criteria for selecting bibliographic entries. Provides 38 annotated entries and 11 standard references in the…

Effective services for youth in transition can be delivered through a five-phase process approach to skill acquisition in which the level of intervention is appropriate for the target population. A hierarchical model of self-directed adaptation, consisting of seven levels of intervention, is proposed as a context for program development. (LKS)

Issues concerning the job preparation and development system for persons who are blind or visually impaired were identified by public and private sector leaders and used to develop a plan for full employment. Issues affected by factors external to the rehabilitation system and those influenced by the system are discussed. (SW)