The use of writing exercises to promote critical thinking in large pharmacy classes is discussed. Techniques for targeting specific higher order thinking skills, different types of in-class writing activities, and evaluation methods (self-evaluation, peer evaluation, feedback) are outlined. (MSE)

Two preservice teachers working with middle school students with severe disabilities participated in this study of the acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of skills relating to use of positive consequences and instructional prompts. Results indicated that immediate feedback was more effective than delayed feedback, skills were maintained…

Maintains that group work is an integral part of the California History-Social Science Framework's three central goals. Reviews research studies on the effectiveness of small group instruction. Discusses teacher role, factors that affect interaction, student characteristics, and teaching methods associated with effective group instruction. (CFR)

A case study of one female middle school student examined her tendency toward learned helplessness. Observations and interviews with the student and her teachers indicated that she lacked confidence; her belief that she could not change her intellectual and social situation was pervasive. Approaches to intervention are discussed. (SM)

Describes a project in elementary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom that investigated the educational value and use of online information services. Highlights include a review of previous work in the field, meeting curricular needs, language development, developing information skills, teacher roles, time management, and technology…

Recent empirical research has identified significant advantages for interactive video instruction over traditional teaching methods in "soft skill" (humanities and social sciences) areas, including cognitive achievement, transfer of learning to performance, learning motivation, student achievement across uncontrolled student characteristics, user…

Provides suggestions for creating thematic units for teaching about the voyages of Columbus. Explains that, to promote critical thinking, the activities are organized into the levels of (1) comprehension and conceptualization; (2) causality; (3) validity; and (4) creative extension. Argues that goals should include understanding European and North…

High ability, average, and learning-disabled children in grades 4 and 7 were assessed on achievement, ability, perceived competence in cognitive ability, self-concept, and locus of control. Results indicated significant group differences on achievement and affective measures which were relatively stable and unaffected by cognitive strategies…

Presents an art education model based on Elliot Eisner's three-domain model, emphasizing students' concept ownership and skill development. Criticizes late-modernism influenced practices, arguing creativity can be achieved only through tradition. Diagrams relationships between what art students learn in college and how they later teach. (KM)

Examines how cognitive modeling and self-efficacy affected preservice teachers' learning of teaching strategies. Two groups of students viewed videotaped training sessions with direct instruction or cognitive modeling. They then viewed either self-efficacy or task-oriented commentaries. Results indicated significant effects favoring cognitive…

Detection of calculation errors, operation errors, and unanswerable problems was studied for 78 third graders and 77 fifth graders. The relationship between mathematics achievement and error detection was also examined. Older children and high achievers detected more errors than did younger students and low achievers. (SLD)

Discusses educational equality and inequality from an economist's perspective. Considers human capital theory and interpretation of life cycles in learning and earning. Addresses schooling and experience components of changes in the inequality of earned incomes, educational expansion, and inequalities in schooling. Explores the roles of skill…

Classroom activities and materials for developing Spanish language skills are described. The exercises focus on listening comprehension, speaking, word recognition, vocabulary learning through reading, and grammar skills that prepare students for the National Spanish Examination and other language experiences. (Author/MSE)

Six high school students with multiple disabilities, including mental retardation, were taught community living skills through the establishment of a shopping service for people who were elderly or who had disabilities. Students increased their competence in community survival skills and also experienced a new role as helper. (JDD)

Describes an integrated schoolwide project at a California high school in which students learned real-world technology skills and workplace etiquette by working together to create a multimedia CD-ROM project, in the form of a quilt, that described local history. Student teams, scheduling changes, teacher roles, community judging, and student…