Four experiments with 4th, 5th, and 6th graders addressed conceptual change in response to anomalous data about empirical regularities in science. Impedance to conceptual change in response to anomalous data could potentially occur at any of four cognitive processes: observation, interpretation, generalization, or retention. In the four…

Describes a study that investigated undergraduate student reactions to an interactive video training program on CD-ROM called the MCGILL NEGOTIATION SIMULATOR designed to teach negotiation skills using a sales negotiation scenario. Also determined whether the program increased learning of negotiation concepts as measured by a pretest and posttest.…

Describes an interdisciplinary course on multicultural autobiographies that integrated psychology and literature, requiring students to examine primary texts using analytical tools from both disciplines. Addresses the outcomes and writing assignments, psychological and literary perspectives on autobiographical texts, the students' responses, and…

Analyzed student reflection papers from a service learning course and uncovered the benefits reported by student participants; also found similarities in responses despite students' higher or lower performances in the course. (EV)

Examines responses to the children's book "William's Doll" by two groups of fourth-grade students, one responding in 1975 and the other group responding in 1997. Finds that many responses to the idea of a boy wanting a doll for a toy still arose from heavily stereotyped attitudes toward gender. Notes implications for the classroom. (SR)

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) started an interactive radio project with the objective of interacting with students in their own languages and sharing experiences with them. Findings revealed that students appreciated the interactive radio sessions for helping accomplish course objectives, and that students' participation in the…

Under North Carolina's ABC's accountability program, public schools are labeled "exemplary,""meets expectations,""adequate performance," or "low performance." Teachers are given $1,500 bonuses if their schools exceed expectations. A survey found that mandated tests increased student anxiety and negatively…

Describes an art activity in which Tim Grunwald, a blind member of the community, taught the students to see in a new way. Explains that the students explored how clay feels, smells, and is molded as they closed their eyes; this experience helped the students escape from an intense world of visual images. (CMK)

Investigated expectancy-value predictors for experiencing shame from test feedback and possible consequences of these reactions. If students believe they have the capabilities and are committed to a future goal for which the course grade is relevant, then a shame reaction may be a warning signal that future goals might be unattainable. (BF)

Describes the "Dating Game," an exercise for use in marriage and family courses that enables students to learn about the theories of mate selection by simulating random mating. States that the dating game helps make mate selection concepts relevant to the students' lives. Discusses the students' reaction to the exercise. (CMK)

Discusses written comments by students on faculty evaluations and suggests how faculty can organize them to provide usable feedback to improve their teaching and student learning. (EV)

The current study compared the effects of hand raising and response cards during a writing instruction class in a middle-school resource classroom with students who were learning English as their second language. Response cards increased the rate and accuracy of academic responding, increased weekly quiz scores, and had mixed effects on off-task…

This study explored how some college students understand the nature of the theory of evolution and how they evaluate its scientific status. We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 college biology seniors in which we asked them to explain why they think evolution assumes the status of a scientific theory, how it compares to other scientific…

Psychology recognizes the importance of educating students regarding cross-cultural issues. We designed a classroom exercise to give students a firsthand appreciation of a specific cross-cultural issue, that of acculturation. After a brief lecture on acculturation, we divided students in the class into 2 groups and helped each group to develop a…

Muting (verbal silencing) is a teaching practice commonly employed by facilitators in outdoor challenge course education programs as a method for modifying communications among participants. However, it is unknown to what extent this teaching intervention differentially impacts male's and female's overall engagement with challenge initiatives. The…