Introduces programs that assist blind students such as Tactile Access to Education for Visually Impaired Students (TAEVIS). Reports on two blind students who successfully completed physics courses and their learning strategies. Discusses the accessibility of visual aids. (YDS)

This article discusses the use of a neural systems perspective to explain some of the behavioral impairments in autism and why some methods work the way they do. It suggests some optimal or even new ways of improving the behavioral treatment of autism and coupling it with other treatment methods. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Examines the effects of different feedback strategies on student achievement and attitude development. Participants were 165 university students. Results indicate different levels of feedback strategies functioned "identically" in facilitating student achievement. Attitudes toward the different feedback strategies were, in general, positive…

Examines the role of interactivity in the presentation of science news on the World Wide Web. Proposes and tests a model of interactive information processing that suggests that characteristics of users and Web sites influence interactivity, which influences knowledge acquisition. Describes use of a think-aloud method to study participants' mental…

Lists and discusses the functions that cooperative quizzes can serve if structured correctly. The quizzes can facilitate a greater understanding of the subject, promote better test-taking skills, and be used as a mechanism to foster cooperative groups. (DDR)

Describes the problem based learning (PBL) approach in medical education and discusses learning and study skills in PBL. (YDS)

Introduces a special issue on the ways in which symbolic tools enable, mediate, and shape mathematical thinking while being themselves a product of these processes. (Author/MM)

Presents a cultural-developmental framework for the analysis of children's mathematics in collective practices and illustrates the heuristic value of the framework through the analysis of videotaped episodes drawn from a middle-school classroom. Discusses the promise and limitations of the framework as a method for furthering understanding of the…

Analyzes two classroom episodes guided by the assumption that thinking can be conceptualized as an activity of communication and learning can be regarded as modifying and extending one's discursive ways. Aims to uncover the ways in which the discursive uses of such new symbolic tools were interactively constructed by the students. Concludes that…

Shares some ideas about facilitating inquiry-based learning in the classroom, in independent studies, in libraries, museums, communities, and all the arenas of life in which people attempt to make sense of experience and grow. Notes that the "Web-linked Inquiry Units" provide a tangible form of a community of inquiry as well as insights for future…

Considers how literacy achievement among adolescents and young adults has become a priority for more effective preparation of students for post-secondary schooling and work. Focuses on the increases in student achievement and teacher preparation and training, as well as the factors associated with those increases, at an urban Professional…

Considers how children can develop personal, social, and cultural connections through photography and narratives in order to envision other possibilities for their lives. Concludes that they found a "web of complex and engaging social relationships" that provided a solid foundation for learning with children and families. Describes the PhOLKS…

Describes the results of part of an ongoing study to find and document "new literacy" classrooms. Seeks to describe new literacy classroom practices (i.e., assignments, assessments) as well as types of learning experienced by students and teacher in such classrooms. (SG)

Demonstrates that etymology as a word attack strategy for second language students does not offer an unfair advantage to students whose first languages are Latin-based. Much of the English language makes use of Latin roots and affixes. Students whose original language is derived from Latin will initially have an advantage in word recognition due…

Describes experiences in teaching with Interactive TV (ITV) network, and the mindsets and goals educators encounter in utilizing this technology. Presents four basic principles of teaching well on TV: television technology is a brand new member of the class, every student is present in class with you, our goal is not "good TV" but a good class,…