Discusses the reasons for the differences in second language proficiency across Australia, including composite classes at primary and secondary levels and classes of mixed proficiency levels at secondary level. Reviews strategies for dealing with this problem, including effecting a smooth transition between primary and secondary schooling and the…

Presents a proposal for training pre- and inservice teachers in the use of group work based on the principles of action research. Outlines some issues in the design and implementation of these activities and presents suggestions for the post-observation remodeling of activities within a task- and content-based framework for foreign language…

Describes the use of simple projects to help freshmen-level chemistry students develop chemical knowledge and an aptitude for the research process. These projects pose a new problem to students without presenting a detailed experimental procedure. Guiding questions help students design their own experiments and stimulate students to think…

Maintains that the mechanisms and learning strategies through which students learn the arts can be adapted into models of instruction for other subjects. Notes the many instances where students, particularly high-risk students, do well in arts education classes only to suffer through the more traditional curriculum. (MJP)

Summarizes recent developments in student-centered open-ended learning environments, which provide electronic tools and resources for students to use in addressing authentic situated problems and to support students' thinking and problem-solving processes. Also analyzes issues in design and utilization and presents implications for teaching,…

Describes and analyzes an effort to introduce problem-based learning (PBL) into a Chinese cultural setting--an educational administration course at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Discusses tensions between Eastern students' perceptions of teachers as "wise persons" and a Western discovery-learning philosophy, ameliorative…

Examines the effects of a first-language orthographic system on second-language (L2) word recognition strategies. Lexical judgment tests using Japanese syllabic script were given to native English and native Chinese learners of Japanese. Results indicated that Chinese speakers relied more on visual information in L2 Japanese words, whereas the…

Describes the main features of a new method for teaching religious education to children. Compares this method to other British religious education approaches. The "gift method" approach begins with the child receiving some easily understood component of a religion (song, prayer, material object) then progresses to a more complex…

Investigates listening performance in a computer-based multimedia environment. Learner success rates were compared on comprehension of English as a Second Language and language recall tasks while using audio, video, and multimedia. Results of performance on tasks reveal more effective comprehension and recall while using multimedia than either…

Argues that, if teachers of English as a Second Language deepen their understanding of learning styles and strategies, they can maximize the potential of computer-assisted individualized instruction for their students. The article suggests that, when teachers share their resources with their students and then let them go, the students will find…

Presents techniques to use in stimulating interest and effective learning outcomes in large classes, based on experiences at California State University, Los Angeles. Topics include active learning; collaborative learning; interactive learning; and use of the Web for student motivation and engaging in in-class discussions. (Author/LRW)

A four-phase study identified factors in teaching excellence, compared the teaching strategies of university faculty across disciplines, and compared these with the learning processes of students in their first and third years. Results suggest excellent professors prefer a deep approach to teaching, incongruent with students' more common surface…

Stresses the importance of designing and evaluating curriculum in terms of student learning characteristics; overviews principles for analyzing the level of "curricular" mediation of instructional materials (contextualization, concretization, controlled redundancy, student engagement); and reviews general learning characteristics of…

Defines a generalization as "a descriptive statement of broad application indicating a relationship between two or more concepts." Argues that successful teaching about generalizations can only occur when students understand the relationship between concepts and facts. Discusses four issues and four approaches related to teaching…

Describes an undergraduate psychology class that required the students to either write an essay (counterattitudinal advocacy) or read an essay supporting a scientifically acceptable position contrary to one of their beliefs. Maintains that counterattitudinal advocacy is more effective for overcoming beginning students' erroneous beliefs about…