Recommends incorporating a thorough analysis of popular music into the teaching of music appreciation. Considers moving beyond the traditional approach (chronological progression beginning with the medieval period) to include innovative comparisons of different styles, instruments, and historical periods. Includes suggested strategies, activities,…

Presents a lesson plan designed to increase students' participation in the electoral process and help them to create their own political opinions. Students examine political advertisements, candidate debates, and political cartoons. Includes tips on "How to get the most out of a debate" and suggested further activities. (MJP)

Summarizes a research project conducted in the Netherlands that examined the effect studying women's history had on the gender identity of girls. The instruction increased girls' knowledge of equal opportunity issues and of the representation of women in history. Knowledge of the social construction of gender remained limited. (MJP)

Presents a crucial German essay, originally published in 1958, that defined and introduced didaktik to a new generation of educators. In this incarnation, didaktik represents an educational approach that incorporates critical thinking (as defined by Adorno and Habermas) into both content and instruction. Briefly outlines the essentials of didactic…

Describes the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Finnish early childhood environments from three perspectives. Examines Finnish national policies on the use of ICT; indicates the prevailing state of ICT use, according to results of international and national surveys; and presents some innovative practices involving the use…

As students with disabilities are included in regular classrooms, special educators' roles shift from classroom teacher to specialist, support, consultative, and itinerant roles. The paper examines the shift, noting implications for teacher education and inservice development that encourage preparation of all teachers with a common core of…

Examines a teacher training program designed to reaffirm the cultural and linguistic identity of Quechua-speaking Peruvians and present preservice teachers with curricula rooted in realities of the region. Surveys indicated that the program successfully trained teachers to see themselves as role models for students and the community. (SM)

A stress inventory administered to black women faculty at seven Botswana colleges and universities (n=201) found the greatest stressor to be student class boycotts, followed by uncertainties about their institution's future and dual roles. Almost two-thirds experienced fatigue. The most successful stress management technique was positive thinking.…

A support group formed by three deans of social work schools and sustained over a seven-year period of change for each institution helped each dean address issues in organizational change. Agenda topics included tenure and promotion, selecting senior administrators, dealing with faculty conflict, managing budgets, responding to student concerns,…

Reprints the 1954 article as a representative example of thinking about art education during the 1950s. Defines the world as an uncertain and challenging place well served by the evaluative and creative-thinking characteristic of art education. Argues for a closer synthesis of studio art and art history courses. (MJP)

Reports results of a nationwide survey of school librarians that shows the increasing influence of librarians. Highlights include authority of library media specialists; career length; salaries; teacher-librarian collaboration; library materials budgets; librarian's role in purchasing materials and selecting vendors; certification; educational…

Summarizes reviews of research reports on classroom practice in the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning." Examines textbooks, instructional grouping, teaching methods, and computer-assisted instruction (especially games and simulations), and civic education through student participation in community programs.…

Outlines letter writing exercises for fifth grade social studies units on the U.S. Revolutionary War period. Students write letters as fictional and nonfictional historical characters from trade books described in article. Objectives include understanding viewpoints and historical events, writing to persuade, and share or seek information.…

This series of eight articles examines cooperative curriculum planning by secondary education teachers and school librarians. The discussion provides examples of assignments that employ library resources and suggestions for working with teachers to develop new curriculum units, as well as the use of workshops to acquaint teachers with the…

Barriers to minority group student success in medical education are outlined, including inadequate preparation in science and mathematics, inadequate advising, nonsupportive faculty, lack of minority mentors and role models, costs, and inadequate information about academic and financial aid options. (MSE)