Presents six key questions to ask about any instructional resource. Suggests a few specific questions to ask when selecting decoding and comprehension games and manipulatives. Presents seven instructional games and manipulatives appropriate for classroom use. (MG)

This study of 52 learning-disabled children, aged 8-13, found that direct feedback and practice improved metaphor interpretation. The approach was highly successful in teaching students to generalize concrete concepts to abstract ones. Further descriptive analyses indicated that grade and reading levels of subjects correlated with metaphor…

The coordinator of several administrative searches at the State University of New York (Cortland) offers guidance to administrative job seekers. As finalists often have similar educational and professional qualifications, elements of character such as style, personality, charm, and thoughtfulness may make the crucial difference. (DB)

Presents seven principles for applying technology to training and development problems. Based on General Systems Theory (GST), these principles were developed to help with long-term decisions. Highlights include instructional systems development models; complexity in cultural systems; matching training materials to user characteristics; systems…

Discusses the positive effects of cooperative learning on students' academic achievement, attitudes toward each other, and social and affective development. Describes two cooperative learning techniques with broad utility and adaptability: the jigsaw strategy and student teams achievement division. (SV)

Four sessions of coed outdoor adventure camp were evaluated to determine the effects on self-concept of the teenage participants. Differences in results were attributed to differences in the organization of each camp session. (Author/CW)

Compared was the mathematical performance of secondary school students for whom a graphic calculator was a standard mathematical tool, with that of students of similar background without regular access to graphing technology. Increased achievement on symbolization tasks, especially for females, was shown for students who used the graphing…

Describes an approach to teaching written reports and how the author adapted this approach for her students. Discovers ways to use the process approach to writing in interesting ways that take the students beyond the personal narrative. (MG)

Shows how training videos (expository and "how-to" tapes produced for use in business and industry) can help professional writers develop verbal skills important to the creation of technical and business documents. (SR)

Describes problems with the "person-on-the-street" perspective as it relates to use of basal readers series in the classroom. Investigates why widespread use of the basal series continues to dominate reading instruction. Suggests recommendations for change in reading instruction. (MG)

Describes a writing strategy that reflects the importance of writing for authentic purposes for real audiences. Discusses how cross-grade-level exchanges can support this approach. (MG)

Twenty-six children (ages 5-12) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were tested before and after treatment with methylphenidate. Few performance tests predicted clinical response to medication. Chronological age and performance on a memory distraction task and the Graduated Holes Task were moderately correlated with clinical outcome.…

This article describes available models for structuring language intervention with toddlers who demonstrate a primary deficit in language acquisition. It examines ways in which intervention can change behaviors through facilitation, induction, and maintenance; how to select a service delivery system; effective teaching strategies; and clinical…

This commentary affirms that the methodology proposed in a paper by Richard A. Winett and others (EC 601 539) may be useful in conducting social validity assessments and applying these assessment data to improve behavioral interventions. The study of accurate and valid assessment of consumer satisfaction is encouraged. (JDD)

This commentary on assessing the social validity of behavior-change programs examines which groups should be included in the assessment, whether social validity assessment should be required, and whether new methods are needed. The paper notes that social validation should be an interactive process between researcher and consumer. (JDD)