This book explores 15 practical literacy strategies that can be used across grade levels (K-College) and content areas. The easy-to-use book offers an overview of the research and best practices associated with each literacy strategy--and it defines each strategy. It explores proven instructional methods such as metacognition, literacy circles,…

A study explored the way various levels of narrative voice in historical texts influence high school students as they carry out a common historical problem-solving task. Participants, 30 students in a suburban Seattle (Washington) high school, wrote a historical essay after reading an introductory text excerpt and six historical documents. Half of…

Anxiety is believed to affect foreign language learning and performance. This preliminary study investigates the role of high school Japanese learning experience in student anxiety while taking an introductory Japanese course in college. This study shows that the presence or absence of high school Japanese instruction affects levels and sources of…

This handbook is designed to identify, build, maintain, and expand teachers' personal and professional effectiveness using "MegaSkills." Section 1, "Knowing Your Leadership Strengths," focuses on identifying strengths, exploring how adults learn, and considering new dimensions for successful education. It also discusses seven habits of good…

The feminist movement has encouraged women to question their traditional roles as volunteers and voluntary organizations have been reconsidering the ways they have used volunteers. Responses of higher education, such as the offering of volunteer administration curricula and credit for prior learning in women's studies, are discussed. (MLW)

The impact of high school and college students' prior knowledge of literary and social conventions on their attitudes toward fictional characters is examined. Differences were found in attitudes toward the teaching of literature and in evaluations of a fictional teacher's behavior. A model for research in this area is proposed. (PP)

As personal portfolio assessment matures, practitioners continue to look for techniques that enhance both personal development and the process of seeking academic credit through assessment. Kolb's experiential learning theory and learning style inventory may have applications in this search. (Author)

The award and transfer of credit for experiential learning moving forward through either the collegial cooperative model or the political adversarial model is discussed. It is suggested that if institutions fail to solve these problems collegially, they may find policy decisions beyond their control. (MLW)

Five contributors identify essential means for the college to assure high standards, quality control, and consistency in assessing the prior learning of adults. Types of learning include work or military experience and life experience; assessment methods include examination, portfolio examination, and competence-based programs. (Author/MSE)

Groups of medical students were compared with respect to ward-performance scores and scores on identical examinations to determine whether students with previous clerkships are likely to perform better in their internal medicine clerkships. It is concluded that previous experience apparently does not have a beneficial effect on student performance…

Discusses strategies for transforming community colleges to meet the highly individualized, experiential, community-based learning needs of adult students. Underscores the importance of making lifelong learning part of the institutional mission, administrative commitment, redefining faculty roles and financial underpinnings, an appropriate…

Lends support to the idea that the quality of the cases used in problem-based learning affects the nature of student learning in this context. Outlines seven principles adapted from research on learning and cognition that can help guide case design. Contains 22 references. (DDR)

Examined scientific reasoning in middle school science students and in scientists that analyzed phenomena explanations in class and in references. Found distinctions, but also reasons why student explanations do and should differ. The resulting conceptual model of student scientific reasoning in context emphasizes three contextual areas: available…

Reviews empirical studies from a wide variety of fields to show that computer-based multimedia instruction may be able to help people learn more information more quickly compared to traditional classroom lecture. Topics include interactivity; control of learning pace; novelty; and learners with low prior knowledge or aptitude. (103 references)…

Discusses results from a survey of graduates following a module in e-business and e-commerce at the University of Sheffield that suggest differences in prior knowledge and cultural background impact students' acquisition of domain knowledge and intellectual and information research skills. Considers implications for Web-based instruction.…