Examined the effects of active versus passive peer tutoring among African American first graders at risk for school failure, comparing both types of tutoring to teacher mediated instruction. Results of weekly spelling tests indicated that both peer tutoring methods produced spelling scores superior to scores in the teacher mediated group. Passive…

Describes what a computer-adaptive test (CAT) is, examines its roots, and points out some of the challenges this approach to assessment presents. (Author/VWL)

Examines how teachers can find the right balance between teaching and being human for their students who are growing up in a constantly changing technological society. Discusses dilemmas faced by caring teachers, technology and standards, and finding the balance in the classroom and community. (AEF)

Focuses on identifying the educational effects of "activity oriented" instructional techniques. Examines which instructional methods produce enhanced learning and comprehension. Discusses the problem of learning "sorting algorithms," a major topic in every Computer Science curriculum. Presents a low-tech, hands-on teaching method for sorting…

Discusses how teacher educators can critically examine their own conceptual frameworks, teaching methods, strategies, and techniques, and how they can maintain dialog with colleagues to make more thoughtful decisions about their own teaching practices and to more effectively link course content and the learning process. (Author/KB)

Focuses on the effects of the application of two problem-solving techniques--metacognitive and heuristic--on the achievement of students in the computation of creative mathematics problems. Results indicate that there was a significant difference in the achievement of experimental and control groups. Contains 24 references. (Author/ASK)

Analyzes the notion of structuring resources and their role in shaping mathematical activity. Examines ways in which nurses conceptualize ratio and proportion problems and provides a case study of two nurses discussing conflicting strategies when monitoring the fluid balance of a patient. Draws out some implications for the design of viable…

Comments on the fact that conditional equity metrics report differences in performance among groups of students given one or more conditions under which that performance may have been influenced. Discusses their use as a tool for evaluating equity. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Discusses the elements of an effective evaluation of statewide systemic initiatives in science and mathematics education. Recommends matrix thinking as an effective generator of sound evaluation questions. Contains 24 references. (DDR)

Explains the importance of student self-assessment skills and how, by sharpening these skills, students and teachers can see excellent results both in and out of the classroom. Self-assessment is explained as the central part of the evaluation section of the Big6 information problem-solving process. (LRW)

Examines distance education practices over the past 10 years that must be addressed for developing feasible distance and distributed learning systems for the 21st century. Changes in financing, accrediting, assessment, and faculty workload are recommended so that higher education institutions can function more like businesses to provide…

Describes how authentic assessment was used in a literacy education class (on integrating instruction and assessment in the reading classroom) to enhance the learning process. Shows how evaluation of students' work was improved through the feedback generated by the class. Offers advice for those striving to make connections between instructional…

Describes an English-teacher educator's teaching/learning process that honors the voices of the students and builds on their needs and questions. Describes how she combines reflection on her teaching with "refraction": finding a new view on teaching using the oblique light from students' responses from their various dialogs. Includes responses…

Two children with mental retardation were trained to emit different communication responses to request the reinforcer for destructive behavior and an alternative reinforcer. Differential reinforcement of communication reduced destructive behavior regardless of whether a functional reinforcer or an alternative reinforcer was available or whether…

A large-scale analysis was conducted of problem behavior by observing 20 individuals living in residential facilities. Data were converted into scatter plot formats. When the data were transformed into aggregate "control charts," 12 of 15 sets of data revealed 30-minute intervals during which problem behavior was more likely to occur.…