Offers three suggestions from teachers regarding managing peer tutors with letters and anecdotal records; creating postcards from the famous for social studies classes; and workplace literacy, from literacy audit to learner. (SR)

Found nontraditional assessment tools to be good predictors of current reading instruction group for nonhandicapped and mildly handicapped children. Iowa Tests of Basic Skills reading scores, curriculum-based measurement reading probes, and teachers' rating scale were able to stratify large sample of elementary school children into Chapter 1,…

Suggests a perspective for the notion of a community of learners based on respect and recognition for children and the concomitant freedom of children to take responsibility for their own learning. Advocates getting away from rigid inflexible structures, and proposes collaboration not as a formal structure but a way of being. (SR)

This examination of the Rasch scaling model concludes that the model could potentially facilitate objective comparisons of status and change of young children with disabilities at individual and group levels. The paper discusses applications of the model to early childhood assessment in the areas of item banking, test analysis, and subject…

Provides information on software tools, technologies, strategies for evaluation, and factoring-in teaching considerations. Also included is an extensive review of computer-assisted language learning materials and a software evaluation questionnaire. (16 references) (GLR)

Considers the successes and failures associated with the design, production, delivery, and evaluation of a home study course entitled "World Ecology: The Scientific Context" offered through Athabasca University (Canada). Discussion covers potential and actual students, course design, course teams, copyright, course materials, enrollment,…

Discusses teacher and principal attitudes toward implementation of the Foxfire approach on a school-wide basis at Rabun Gap Community School (Rabun, Georgia). Presents some of the student-generated experiential projects, including (1) developing and participating in Indian Day activities; (2) making and selling earrings; and (3) writing advice…

Offers guidelines for the assessment of critical thinking ability, suggesting that assessment be integral to learning, involve a range of behaviors, emphasize expected course, program, or institutional outcomes, incorporate structured feedback and an external dimension, and be cumulative. Lists steps in developing an assessment plan. (DMM)

The teaching and learning potential of interactive video (IV) are explored. Some of the programs currently in use are described. The use of IV for simulations, practical work, problem solving, and presentational skills are discussed. (KR)

Recommends the classroom use of hypermedia. Observes that hypermedia allow instructors to interrupt lessons for critical evaluation, discussion, and prompt correction of mistakes. Suggests that using hypermedia in class is cheaper than setting up computer laboratories. (DK)

Reports a study comparing Illinois high school band and choral directors' grading systems with systems proposed by principals. Concludes that principals placed more value on cognitive criteria and performance technique but less on concert attendance and behavior than did directors. Suggests that music educators develop course and grading systems…

Describes steps in a method for transferring critical thinking skills during a regular history lesson plan. Calls upon the instructor to ask how the skill to be transferred is a part of the lesson, when it can be used, what examples can be given, and how students will reflect on their practice. Emphasizes the necessity of consistent terminology.…

Suggests utilizing foreign coins and banknotes as teaching aids for geography. Discusses coins portrayal of such issues as societal goals, historical commemorations, or conservation of wildlife. Cites banknotes as a source of even more geographical information than coins. Suggests sources of information, coins, and banknotes. (DK)

Describes a map skills unit used in a second grade classroom in which teachers and students engaged in activites that moved from the concrete to the abstract and from trips around the school neighborhood to a "trip" to Europe. An insert includes two map study ideas for use in intermediate grades. (SM)

Creating a stock market simulation for the classroom computer reinforces math skills and can help students gain a good sense of how current events affect the economy, how to manage money and understand profit and loss, and how to use spreadsheet software. (IAH)