The design and development of GRACILE, a collaborative learning environment in the domain of Japanese language patterns and expressions, is described. The environment is designed to allow learning goals communication, learning activities negotiation, and collaboration between learners. From a group of student models, a potential development level…

While the expansion of worldwide hypermedia systems has opened new gateways in the information industry, the result has been material being archived faster than it can be read. Users need to be able to scan information quickly and have more control in information seeking and retrieval. A new area of research is in the development of multimedia…

Based on the idea that assessment and evaluation have become major concerns in elementary education, this book offers a solution for involving both children and parents in the processes of evaluation. Arguing for a program known as "negotiated evaluation," the book gives practical suggestions for implementing the program; looks at…

This study utilized a sociocultural approach to writing instruction and examined its effects on the motivation of students with learning disabilities. The concept of the Zone of Proximal Development was used to measure changes in five third and fourth grade students' motivation toward literacy activities. Students wrote in journals daily and…

"Konichi-Wa" is designed to teach Japanese language and culture via a multimedia videodisc, a teacher's guide, and supplemental cultural materials. Its objectives are to provide a learning experience for children in grades K-6 with instruction from a regular classroom teacher who has little or no formal language instruction training in…

The Regional Educational Laboratory Program is the U.S. Department of Education's largest research and development investment designed to help educators, policymakers, and communities improve schools and help all students attain their potential. The network of 10 regional laboratories works to ensure that those involved in education improvement at…

Suggesting that phonics instruction that is an integral component of a language arts program can offer children important skills and strategies for developing reading and writing abilities, this book presents phonics activities designed to enrich existing language arts curricula by combining phonics instruction with real-life connections, such as…

A study investigated the relationship between formal and conversational logic. Thirty-two male and 32 female college students evaluated the conclusions of conditional syllogism and participated in an interview adapted from Deanna Kuhn's (1991) monograph, "The Skills of Argument." Students were asked to provide explanations for several…

This Digest reviews the literature on the subject of teaching English and language arts to gifted and talented students. It discusses how to identify gifted students, outlines some key principles for developing effective programs in English and language arts for the gifted, and suggests possible methods of evaluating gifted students and programs.…

Language used in situations in which speakers cannot rely on shared social, physical, or historical contexts has been referred to as "decontextualized." Many researchers believe that the use of decontextualized language is at the core of literacy--that reading and writing are consummate acts of decontextualization. Somewhat intermediate…

This book focuses on how to teach, analyze, and assess arguments. The book merges current thinking on argumentation from the fields of composition, rhetoric, speech, logic, and critical thinking. Noting that teaching students how to argue is largely the responsibility of writing and speech teachers, this book builds the case for teachers' learning…

A pilot program of teacher education was conceptualized in response to the increased diversity within the elementary classroom and a growing realization that evolving service delivery paradigms in the public schools suggest a need to examine how educators are being prepared for this environment. The College of Education and individual faculty…

This paper explores the problems of Arab children with hearing impairments living in Israel. It addresses the linguistic challenges involved such as the intrinsic problems of the Arabic language, the diglossia phenomenon expressed in colloquial dialects and literary registers, and the problems associated with a minority language in Israel. It…

This practicum investigated whether using whole language, cooperative learning, CAI, and an authentic audience to create a magazine would help second and third grade students to learn punctuation skills. The practicum was implemented at a private, south Florida summer computer camp to two different target groups of eight elementary students. Both…

This module presents results of a demonstration project investigating portfolio assessment uses in adult basic education and English as a second language. It describes how to use the approach to design a portfolio assessment plan in any chosen subject area. Section I provides an overview and reviews the project framework. Section II focuses on…