Describes a reflexive approach to technology training for preservice teachers blending elements from competency-based and integrative models so that students use technology as learner and teacher. Discusses technology portfolios as an instructional strategy, metacognitive strategies for self-understanding, and modeling and peer tutoring. (PEN)

Supportive methods such as peer tutoring and cooperative learning, and co-teaching by special and general educators, can improve inclusion of students with diverse academic and social needs. Teachers, students, and parents must become part of a learning community that recognizes each member's unique gifts. (SK)

Examined how participation as mathematics tutors would affect middle school students at-risk for dropping out of school. Comparison of participants to non-participants after 6 weeks of tutoring found significant differences in mathematics performance in class and on state standardized tests. Participation had positive effects on tutors'…

A teacher of gifted elementary school students reflects on her experiences using the Foxfire approach and on its value in involving students in experiential learning and facilitating higher level critical and creative thinking skills. Seven of her sixth grade students describe the projects they've completed over the years. (SV)

Describes a project to determine how teachers can best implement new ideas and strategies learned at staff development programs by using peer coaching as a follow-up to training. The project, based on an understanding of the usefulness of mathematics manipulatives, increased teachers' use of a new teaching strategy. (SM)

The differences between collaborative culture and contrived collegiality as forms of joint work and interaction among teachers is defined. Peer coaching, especially one variant known as technical coaching, is used to investigate and interpret these differences. Technical coaching is seen as fostering contrived collegiality rather than…

The effects of peer collaboration on mathematical and spatial reasoning were assessed for 152 fourth graders. Effects on learning with logical-physical materials were assessed 1 year later. Findings suggest that peer collaboration is effective for tasks that require reasoning but not for tasks that require rote learning or copying. (SLD)

Interactions and relationships emerging from 2 programs to promote social integration of normal children and children with mental handicaps were compared. For the 53 pairs participating, peer tutoring interactions tended to be less reciprocal than those of the Special Friends program patterned after a program of L. J. Voeltz and others (1983).…

Proposes that ethnography is a useful tool for helping teachers understand the cultural context of their students. Examines a high school writing lab, emphasizing the role of the tutor. Describes the experiences of the writing lab staff in learning the culture of adolescents through ethnography. (RS)

The Kirklees (England) local educational authority trained parents in the Paired Reading technique in which the tutee chooses the reading material and tutor and tutee read aloud together. Subjective feedback from parents, peer tutors, and teachers (2,521 questionnaires) showed that parents and peer tutors rated progress more positively than…

When children with learning disabilities fail to learn effective reading strategies, they lose enthusiasm and develop negative self-perceptions and attitudes, jeopardizing future achievement. In response, instructional approaches emphasizing clear explanation of reading strategies and discussion of processes for constructing meaning have been…

Studies the reactions to "self-threatening help" of members of 103 dyads of second-, fourth-, and sixth-graders in a peer tutoring context. Results indicated that threatening conditions were those in which tutors and tutees were similar in age and achievement levels. (RJC)

Findings are examined from studies published from 1980 to the present concerning the effects of peer tutoring on mathematics performance. Findings indicate the effectiveness of peer tutoring in promoting significant cognitive gains for both the tutor and the tutee with populations of low achievers, mildly handicapped, or socially disadvantaged…

A program developed at Bluffton College (OH) to provide a support group for high school physics teachers is described. The support group provides a forum for sharing ideas, methods, and common concerns. Concern on the national level about the level of training of high school physics te teachers is also discussed. (IAH)

A peer-delivered incidental teaching procedure was used to instruct appropriate requesting in three adults with moderate/severe mental retardation or autism during lunch-preparation sessions. The procedure proved to be effective in increasing appropriate requesting. Generalization was obtained, and increased interaction between the residents was…