Eighth graders (N=85) participated in a study that manipulated the content and form of students' lecture notes. Matrix notes were found to be relatively effective for learning concepts. Girls recorded a greater number of notes than boys on tests involving recall and recognition of factual items. (IAH)

Discusses the role of the historian and the purposes of history teaching. Stresses teaching methods and outlines six ways to enhance instruction for beginning teachers. Analyzes curriculum and raises objections to the concept of a core curriculum and emphasizes the importance of studying history. (RW)

Discusses the use of computer-illustrated texts to teach statistics at the college level. Microcomputer-based software that can be used in the areas of calculation, graphics, simulation, animation, and text presentation is described; and use of the software for lectures, laboratory use, and tutorials is discussed. (three references) (LRW)

The objective of this study was to develop a scale to assess college-level teaching effectiveness in order to provide effective feedback for faculty in a nonthreatening atmosphere. (JOW)

A review of the literature on lecture notetaking delineates research concerning learning from native-language (L1) lectures as a function of L1 notetaking, outlines accepted axioms of good notetaking, and suggests continued research to assess the utility of these axioms and to explore further second-language lecture information processing.…

A study compared the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction and direct instruction in promoting simple number estimation skills in a group of eight children with moderate learning problems. Results showed that both approaches are associated with direct and transfer gains durable over four weeks. (MSE)

Presents techniques aimed at promoting a higher level of student-faculty interaction and active student participation in the learning process in introductory physics lecture classes. Discusses group problem solving, the use of flash cards, and assessment. (JRH)

Compares lecture, video, and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to identify which method produces more immediate and long-term recall of the information presented in an introductory college mass communications course. Findings showed that CAI and lecture formats seemed to provide better opportunity for immediate recall, although no single method…

At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY), some introductory science and engineering classes are taught in "studios," where students work on problems on computers, followed by a mini-lecture or summary and class discussion. The method replaces impersonal large-group lectures with less expensive, more effective instruction and more…

A study contrasted the long-term (one year) retention of material acquired primarily through lectures and assigned independent study readings. Subjects were 16 female 3rd-year medical students. Results indicate the study methods did not differ consistently in knowledge loss or class performance, despite substantial individual differences.…

A study involving 14 experienced physicians investigated the effectiveness of a computer program (providing statistical feedback to teach a clinical diagnostic rule that predicts the probability of streptococcal pharyngitis), in conjunction with traditional lecture and periodic disease-prevalence reports. Results suggest the integrated method is a…

The performance of two groups of chemistry students, one taught using the traditional lecture method and the other interactive, in solving stoichiometry problems is described. The interactive instruction appears more effective for students who are less adept at information processing. The interaction apparently does not challenge better students,…

Discusses an analysis of 10 common introductory psychology textbooks. Argues that the books tend to present psychology as tedious, even silly, and as a canned, multimedia, self-teaching program. Concludes that replacing textbooks with lectures based on the instructor's personal knowledge and experience would improve the teaching of psychology. (SG)

The crisis confronting calculus and mathematics education generally results from a number of failed assumptions implicit in the dominant lecture-homework-exam methodology used in teaching mathematics. Positive resolution of this crisis can be found in adopting a noncompetitive, collaborative approach to mathematics education. (Author)

Describes two classroom experiments that investigated the effects of using projected-display computers: the first compared teaching a course using a projected display with teaching the course in a computer lab; and the second compared using a computer and projected display with standard lectures. Effects on test scores are discussed. (three…