Relates a kindergarten teacher's classroom experience where play is not considered a primary medium for learning. Describes a strategy used to establish play, specifically investigative play, as a legitimate activity in the classroom. Discusses issues associated with play-based curriculum and how, with the renewed interest in science education, it…

Describes a primary classroom in which students are permitted to work independently in a constructivist, predominantly child-driven environment. Includes a short interview with the classroom teacher elaborating on this active learning atmostphere. (HTH)

Suggests that field trips may best be seen as an example of short-term experiential education. Explains how field trips may be helpful in a range of sociology classes; notes the basic steps to planning, undertaking, and evaluating field trips; and addresses advantages of, and objections to, such excursions. (DSK)

A practice-based learning model, involving self-directed learning, critical self-reflection, intentional active learning, and learning community, provides a way to structure informal continuing professional education (CPE) that occurs in practice. As individuals assume more responsibility for their learning, the legitimacy of informal CPE should…

Argues that standard methods of teaching Irving Fisher's theory of interest to undergraduates are generally difficult and unsuccessful. Presents a lesson in which students playing out roles in a story learn how the interest rate determines equilibrium in credit markets and sets prices of investment opportunities. (DSK)

Supplements Steven A.Meyers's article (Teaching Psychology, 1997) on the use of collaborative-learning groups. Provides additional suggestions on starting in-class groups, maintaining their effectiveness, and anticipating common problems. Argues that with careful attention, in-class groups can effectively complement lectures. (DSK)

Describes a one-month sixth grade class activity with monarch butterflies called Monarch in the Classroom. Students learn about insects, especially the class material butterflies, including their life cycle, eating habits, migration, and how they overwinter. The lesson plan covers sorting animals, focusing on features, analyzing the community for…

Surveys faculty members of the University of Kentucky Community College System about how they use videotape programs in their classroom instruction. Finds that most faculty members use video occasionally for showing visual examples of the topics they are teaching and to stimulate classroom conversation. Indicates a relationship between teaching…

Explores areas of agreement and disagreement in five articles on mathematics and science standards, highlighting active learning, teaching for understanding, and constructivism. The article notes that there is more than one right answer, but disagreement persists over applications, amateur problem solving, and the risk of junk math and science.…

Explains the use of classwide peer tutoring to actively engage all students, including those with disabilities, and to promote mastery, accuracy, and fluency in content learning. Explains the classwide peer-tutoring approach and reviews research on the efficacy of this approach. (DB)

Describes the implementation of a modular approach and some of the active learning strategies it employs, plans for evaluating the effectiveness of this approach, and plans for disseminating it broadly within the undergraduate chemistry community. (DDR)

Reviews perspectives on closed (nonnetworked) multimedia systems, identifies characteristics of meaningful interactions, and outlines some basic considerations for designers of interactive multimedia instruction. Highlights include active learning environments; learner control; feedback; learner response options; adaptability; and engagement and…

Presents a geometry game, tangrams, as an active learning method to engage international teaching assistants in concepts related to effective communication. Asserts that by framing the presentation of research-based communication concepts in an active learning metaphor that compares giving instructions to teaching, learners can experience these…

Explains what being a naturalist means and discusses concerns about biologists who lack an understanding of natural history. Discusses reasons for the decline in the number of naturalists and makes suggestions on how to use natural history as a teaching tool. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)