Describes an assignment in which freshman technical writing students gathered information from community businesses in order to write process analysis papers. Includes the list of assignment topics, instructions for the assignment, and evaluation questions for obtaining student reactions to the assignment. (GW)

This article is a series of anecdotes from an undergraduate course in multi-ethnic literature. In this class students explore their lives against the backdrop of their country's diverse ethnic heritage. Such courses are few, but they are needed given the influx of immigrants to this country. (Author/VM)

Discussing musical performance anxiety, Meharg examines its causes and offers some coping strategies. Explores methods of controlling body reactions as well as natural solutions and mental reactions to anxiety. Presents tips for anxious musicians and suggestions for educators to help students reduce and control feelings of anxiety. (GEA)

A school-based child sexual abuse prevention program consisting of separate two-hour workshops for children (ages 5-12), parents, and teachers was evaluated. Results indicated parents were more informed and interactive with their children following the workshops. Children showed no increased emotional stress and reported feeling safer and better…

The hypothesis of this study was that, since awareness of pupil ability, attention, interest, and comprehension can influence the choice of teaching methods, then awareness of relevant nonverbal signals from pupils should be related to overall teaching competence. Fifty-seven student teachers decoded videotaped nonverbal student signals. Results…

Investigates kindergarten children's ability to comprehend and appreciate cognitively-oriented humor. Conceptual development was measured by assessing children's responses to a liquid conservation task modeled after Piaget. Results fail to support previous theories and indicate that a majority of the children fully comprehended and were able to…

Focuses on students' immediate behavioral and cognitive responses and short-term outcomes during seatwork tasks. Twenty-four first graders in six classrooms were observed for the (1) apparent focus of attention, (2) nature of involvement with instructional stimuli, (3) initiative taken to seek help, (4) level of success, and (5) perceptions of…

Reviews research on students' attitudes toward social studies instruction at the elementary and secondary levels. In general, studies reveal a more negative attitude toward social studies than other subjects. Favorable attitudes are fostered by teachers who, among other things, go beyond being competent instructors to make social studies…

The merits and limitations of expanding family choice of education for children are discussed, with emphasis on how such choice affects students and teachers, what are the competing objectives, and what regulates the choices families may make. (MT)

Using Vygotsky's concept of mediated development, a study was designed to determine the effectiveness of what teachers say during instruction in reading skills. Twenty-two teachers were observed five times and their students interviewed to discover student awareness of the use of strategies in reading. Results are explored. (Author/MT)

Reports on an assessment study of secondary vocational education based on student testing and surveys of teachers, parents, students, and vocational administrators. Suggested improvements include (1) emphasis on basic skills, (2) more career counseling, (3) business-school partnerships, (4) local vocational plan development, and (5) cooperation…

Examines the lack of information about how children evaluate what they read and why they select particular reading materials. Offers approaches to understanding reading preferences and ways to encourage evaluative skills. Suggests six criteria for selecting good children's literature and ideas about using children's magazines to help express…

Discusses various student reactions to new classroom methods and offers suggestions on how to deal with student resistance. The suggestions include: (1) becoming aware of the students' past experiences, interests, and goals; (2) building student confidence in the teacher's expertise; (3) moving slowly; and (4) showing students how they have…

Discussion of intelligent computer assisted learning (CAL) systems considers both those that offer natural language communication to the user and those that are adaptive, generative, or self-improving. Current interest in student-built learning environments (exemplified by work with LOGO and PROLOG) is examined, and obstacles to future intelligent…

Describes the features of TOPO, HERO, RB5X, and Tasman Turtle, personal robots used in elementary and secondary schools and colleges to introduce concepts of artificial intelligence, advanced high school and college computer science, and elementary level programming. Mechanical arms are also briefly mentioned. (MBR)