Just as testing generally is not the answer to the multifaceted problems facing contemporary American education, performance assessment is no panacea. Before embracing this new evaluation method, educators should assess the movement's claims, costs, and characteristics. At present, both goals and costs are uncertain. (30 references) (MLH)

This paper discusses the two important domains affecting the success of learning strategy training for students with learning disabilities or other mild handicaps: students' knowledge of critical skills and information potentially related to strategy use, and students' motivation to learn and use the strategy. The paper presents an eight-stage…

Four blind adults explored the spatial layout of landmarks in a large-scale space utilizing a microcomputer simulation of the environment and a tactile graphic aid of a similar environment. Although subjects learned the landmarks' locations faster using the tactile graphic aid, the accuracy of their spatial knowledge was equal with both…

This study examined effectiveness of a constant time delay (CTD) procedure in teaching social studies and health facts to five adolescents with learning or behavioral disorders. Students were given praise with and without additional information. Results indicated CTD procedures were reliable and effective, and students acquired nontargeted as well…

A review of a 1920 issue of the journal "Modern Language Review of New South Wales" provides insight into the post-World War I language teaching field, teachers' perceptions of their roles in promoting international tolerance and understanding, the comparative effectiveness of traditional and more innovative approaches, and the use of…

HyperPharm, a computer program consisting of about 1,500 faculty-prepared questions designed as a study aid in pharmacology, was found to be popular with medical students and easy to use, but not as effective as predicted in improving student (n=162) performance. (MSE)

Observation in 281 elementary and junior secondary classrooms and interview with teachers found large variation in communication behaviors of Botswana teachers, related to subject matter, presence of a textbook, and school size. Much class time was spent on choral recitation, which was positively related to expatriate staff and pupil persistence.…

Another way to add and subtract, in which the mental regrouping strategy is applied to an original 10-structure, is presented. Pupils use a visual model, called "little person," to move from counting to visualization. Originally designed for use with pupils with learning disabilities, this method has wider applicability. (KR)

An activity that introduces the concept of chaos to students is presented. Smoke rising from burning incense is used to represent changes in atmospheric flow. The lab, involving fluid dynamics, avoids mathematical models to highlight deterministic chaos within nature itself. Reproducible pages are provided. (KR)

The use of field trips for both conceptual and factual learning and affective objectives is discussed. Discussions on the general perception of field trips, perceptions from the perspective of research, implications for science education, and conclusions are presented. (KR)

Proposed is a method of learning about relevant aspects of a research scientist's work by analyzing "real" data. The way in which students used real data from an astronomy project is described. The procedures for the analysis and evaluation of the end results are included. (KR)

Reviews studies of psychosocial variables that maximize outcomes in peer tutoring programs. Considers research on tutoring behaviors and their relation to outcomes; effective tutorial instruction methods; expectations and attributions in tutoring settings; tutorial roles and student pairings; and cooperative learning formats. Makes recommendations…

Presents Galbraith and James's taxonomy of seven perceptual modalities (i.e., print, aural, interactive, visual, haptic, kinesthetic, and olfactory). Discusses ways educators can demonstrate perceptual modalities in the classroom and help students identify their personal style of learning. Explains how this knowledge can facilitate learning in a…

The impact of oil spills and oil fires in the Persian Gulf is discussed. Activities to be done in the classroom that simulate oil spills are presented. Sample discussion questions and direction for the activities are included. (KR)

Teaches a history course in a correctional facility in Georgia. Discusses class problems, testing, grading procedures, and the environment. Finds establishing routine is effective in bringing order and purpose to the class. Describes student characteristics and response to the class. (NL)