Questions must be raised about the nature, value, and use of academic discourse in the national debate on reforming the canon, acknowledging diversity, etc. It is proposed that students be involved in authentic work by immersion in reading, writing, and language and by having opportunities think critically about the material. (Contains 25…

Discusses the feminist perspective of librarianship, including following key issues: salaries, pay equity, and occupational segregation; faculty status, professional education, and recruitment; access to information; technology; and sociology of the workplace. A number of myths relating to this topic are addressed, and a bibliography of 18 recent…

Argues that the role of economic reasoning can provide a powerful tool for understanding U.S. history. Lists six principles that articulate important aspects of economic reasoning that can be used in teaching U.S. history. Uses the Homestead Act of 1862 to illustrate how these principles can be used in the classroom. (CFR)

Argues that students seldom understand the history of U.S. popular culture, although such cultural attributes as shopping malls and advertising can be used to teach economic and historical understanding. Presents a model that indicates the interrelationship between U.S. popular culture and economic concepts. (CFR)

Development of an inexpensive but powerful computer program to teach clinical periodontal diagnosis using epidemiological principles is described. Using probabilistic thinking, the student is guided from application of raw research data to derivation of likelihood ratios and how they affect clinical decision making. Student response was found to…

Many American Indian students are alienated from schooling by the obvious disparities and conflicts between language usage in the oral tradition of their communities and that required in written academic discourse. A community-based language model used with Lakota college students empowers students by teaching critical writing that fuses…

Contends that teachers assign essay writing to help students improve their critical thinking skills. Discusses six criteria of a well-written history essay. Includes a five-essay assignment strategy, designed to be implemented over the course of an academic year, to help students improve essay research and writing. (CFR)

Explores the possibility that combining conflict management and English content, particularly short stories, can help young people develop more effective cognitive skills. Proposes a unit that begins with journal writing and general discussion of conflicts (including a description of three styles with which people manage conflict) and moves on to…

Reports on a study of effects of critical reading and writing skills among 16 college psychology students. Finds that students receiving critical thinking instruction were better able to use argumentative language in term papers. Includes two tables of statistical data. (CFR)

Presents four primary objectives for written assignments. Describes the use of writing assignments in a college probability and statistics course. Maintains that this approach requires students to show statistical and writing skills rarely elicited elsewhere in their coursework. (CFR)

Questions assumptions implicit in the fifth objective of National Education Goal 5, calling for critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities. Outlines strategies for a national assessment/improvement program, including setting goals, preparing faculty to foster student learning, gathering evidence on outcomes, and using…

Examines forces shaping the development of a national collegiate assessment program, including increases in immigrants and elective courses. Highlights obstacles to assessing college students' critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities and argues that a national program should begin in states and individual colleges rather…

Presents research on using small groups to help students think and reason about literature. Examines various small-group activities in ninth grade English classrooms. Analyzes effective and ineffective small-group work. Concludes that effective small-group work requires coherent activities that result in the sustained production of student…

Describes a series of instructional activities designed to help student develop a conceptual foundation necessary for learning about other cultures. Suggests a study of the classroom culture and subcultures. Discusses using a culture artifacts box for observation, grouping and labeling, and making generalizations that later will be compared to…

Presents workable strategies for observing, tracking, and reporting student progress in the elementary writing classroom. The article offers tips and techniques for ongoing evaluation (observing writers as they write, conferencing, and student self-evaluation). It also includes a teacher-guided tour of a real Vermont student's writing portfolio.…