This article describes the development, implementation, and refinement of a plan for identification, recruitment, and selection of cohort groups of able teacher education students. The nature and structure of an alternative teacher education program designed to attract and retain academically talented students are also discussed. (IAH)

Israeli teachers (N=142) were surveyed in a study designed to identify the effects of computer-managed practice on teaching methods, factors which encouraged teachers' adoption of computers for instruction, and the effects of this type of instruction on student learning. (IAH)

The development of teacher-made "program pyramids" is recommended to organize individualized educational sequences for special needs students. The process involves analysis of the student's strengths and weaknesses, identification of general program domains, specification of program subdomains, statement of long-range goals, development of…

Forty-three preschool children with language, behavioral, and learning difficulties were administered the Children's Analogical Thinking Modifiability Test, which uses a test-teach-test approach. The group receiving difficulty-contingent, individualized instruction (referred to as mediation) performed significantly better on the posttest, while…

The article describes a continuum of instructional options for teaching reading to mildly and moderately handicapped students. Level 1 utilizes the basal text; Level 2 adds special individualized strategies to build fluency, comprehension, or accuracy to the mainstream basal program; and Level 3 selects other reading materials more appropriate to…

Considers new modes of course organization that are based on computers, videodisc players, compact disk players, and other components of interactive technology. Topics discussed include student control of content and pace, ways of learning, mastery courses, learning cycles, hypercourses (non-linear courses), and student organized courses. (17…

Advocates ecological and normalizing approaches for teaching art to disabled students. Argues against a medical model by stressing that art education should not be designed to compensate for the behaviors and characteristics of a diagnosed disability. Refers to several programs which are based on these beliefs. (KO)

Considers the role of microcomputers in the education of rural gifted students. In this context, discusses computer methods for accessing content not otherwise available, methods for accessing people, computer-assisted instruction, computer-managed instruction, programing, and software evaluation. 22 references. (SV)

Compares two instructional programs--the structure of the Intellect-Learning Abilities and the Language Experience in Reading--utilized in a rural midwestern laboratory school. Reports no significant difference between experimental and control groups in four out of five operation areas, although the control group scored significantly higher in…

The Center for Individualized Instruction at Jacksonville State University (Alabama) provides individualized courses and services by integrating the Personalized System of Instruction, precision teaching, direct instruction, and computer-based precision learning. The center emphasizes student outcomes and has served over 18,000 students since…

This study compared the effects of multiple versus single deadline contingencies on distribution of unit-mastery test taking by students in four university classes taught using the personalized system of instruction. Rate of test taking was most uniform when multiple deadlines were imposed throughout the course. (Author/DB)

Experiences in the English department of the State University of New York College at Potsdam illustrate the ways in which writing teachers can use even minimal computer technology for instructional intervention at several stages of the writing process and provide more individualized instruction. Familiarity with the technology breeds innovation.…

Six basal reader programs were examined in an effort to address questions raised by an earlier study of kindergarten reading instruction. It was determined that basal reading material did not allow teachers to offer flexible individual instruction to children and that first grade preprimers had an erratic prerequsite reliance on the phonics taught…

With reference to a self-paced calculus course, the following aspects are reviewed: the structure and the mechanisms, the grading and credit arrangements, the essentials of proper record keeping, the restrictions and prerequisites for enrollment, the cost and the effectiveness, and the potential for application to other mathematics courses. (JJK)

German practices in the field of learning disabilities are described in the context of their historical formation and definitional implications. Educational practices and emerging trends such as new functional categories, provision of support services in integrated settings, individualized instruction, and independent study are considered. (DB)