Based on classroom observation, interviews, and student and teacher surveys, this study examined student interaction and participation within a computer-mediated communication (CMC) environment in a college-level plant science lab course. The CMC discourse encouraged experimentation, sharing of early ideas, increased and more distributed…

In 1992, Texas A & M University's College of Education established the Texas Education Collaborative, a center for professional development and technology, to redesign teacher preparation and staff development programs. In 1996, the TEC joined with the university's Principal's Center to focus on principals' development in schools reconceived…

Discusses the format of a semester course and provides details about grading, formative assessment, research papers, lecture activities, cooperative examinations, use of spreadsheets, and open-ended laboratory projects. Contains 15 references. (DDR)

Describes an action research project, conducted at the Wyoming Center for Teaching and Learning, which used a disciplined inquiry approach to investigate best practices surrounding student learning. The article explains the school- university context; outlines the changing roles of teachers, faculty, and the school administrator; and presents…

Describes TECH CORPS, a nonprofit organization of information systems professionals in 36 states who train teachers, set up school computer labs, and advise about hardware and software purchases. Discusses industry sponsorship; grassroots leadership; and TECH CORPS involvement with both state projects (Hawaii, West Virginia, Washington, DC, New…

Presented is an activity in which a skeleton is built using papier mache' and various household items. The materials; procedures for building each part of the skeleton; and directions for painting, assembling, and varnishing are included. (KR)

Described are four interdisciplinary units entitled "A Very Fishy Unit,""Building Healthy Bodies Unit,""Hands-On Plants Units," and "Butterflies Spell Beauty Unit." Each unit contains science activities, skills and concepts covered, and activities that cover other disciplines. (KR)

Describes six library projects that won Apple Library of Tomorrow (ALOT) grants for proposed information technology projects. Public library, high school library, university library, and Library of Congress projects are profiled that deal with learning facilities with videodisk, electronic bulletin boards, community outreach projects,…

Described is a series of workshops designed to familiarize teachers with the social and legal background, principles of humane care, ethical considerations, and philosophies that influence animal use in the classroom. Discussed are the value of dissection, alternatives to dissection, and student reactions to dissection. (CW)

Described are 14 experiments that use lasers. Topic areas include physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry. Instrumentation and the use of the laser in undergraduate research are discussed. (CW)

Presented are 29 science activities for secondary school science instruction. Topic areas include botany, genetics, biochemistry, anatomy, entomology, molecular structure, spreadsheets, chemistry, mechanics, astronomy, relativity, aeronautics, instrumentation, electrostatics, quantum mechanics, and laboratory interfacing. (CW)

Described is a simulation program designed to teach the geology of oil exploration in a game format. Discussed are information and tools provided, information management, data sets, and availability of the program. (CW)

Described is an activity which can be used to investigate heat expansion in a solid. Included are background, materials, procedures, and suggested discussion questions. A diagram of the apparatus is provided. (CW)

Two classroom activities designed to help students learn to distinguish science from superstition are presented. Procedures are discussed and the two activities are compared. (CW)

Introduces microcomputer interfacing as a method for explaining and demonstrating various aspects of the concept of function. Provides three experiments with illustrations and typical computer graphic displays: pendulum motion, pendulum study using two pendulums, and heat absorption and radiation. (YP)