Examines first-year college students' conceptions of a good discussion and whether activities designed to encourage the conversation-like discussions found in adult book clubs affected these conceptions. The article presents stories of four students illustrating changes in their conceptions and analyzing them along three dimensions. (21…

Examines the challenges accompanying inserting Francophone literatures of the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa into the curriculum. This article suggests additions to the syllabus and discusses three theories useful in weaving together all Francophone literatures--a process duplicating the "metissage" of cultures. (31 references)…

Argues that the focus of foreign-language instruction needs to be on students learning to become more efficient in using another language. This focus means charting each student's progress along the continuum of proficiency from novice to intermediate to advanced levels, not just checking off a list of what has been taught from the curriculum. (CK)

Describes an approach to a course about the basics of genetics and molecular biology that utilizes a contest that involves students in accessing information about a topic such as sex determination, neural development, and gene therapy. The general objective of the approach is to inspire students to become familiar with the scientific literature.…

Describes the content and development of a curriculum that provides an approach to descriptive chemistry and the history of technology through consideration of the pottery, metallurgy, pigments, dyes, agriculture, and medicine of pre-Columbian people. (DDR)

The revised version of the "National Standards for History in the Schools" is far from perfect, but it is a vast improvement over the original version that was issued in 1994, and it is a great improvement over the social studies programs that are currently offered in most American schools. (SLD)

Discusses possible roles for self-access pathways to guide second-language learners, particularly in cultures that have no tradition of self-study. Suggests how pathways might influence the design and running of self-access centers and gives an illustration of how pathways were designed and employed in a center in China. Feedback is based on a…

Describes how a course on censorship taught at an all-girls high school in Tacoma, Washington, drew on current event controversies to initiate discussion. Outlines the course's four units and uses Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" to frame course questions. (TB)

Explains a proposed block of instruction that would give students in industrial engineering, operations research, systems engineering, and applied mathematics the basic understanding required to begin more advanced courses in simulation theory or applications. (DDR)

Discusses the reasons why teaching about the process of dying is relevant content for psychology courses. Offers suggestions for teaching about end-of-life issues in various courses on: (1) ethical, legal, and professional issues courses; (2) adult and life span development; (3) counseling diverse populations; and (4) assessment and diagnosis.…

Presents the results of a study conducted for a course called "Drugs and Behavior." Assigns students to evaluate their experiences from attending a 12-step meeting, such as Alcoholic Anonymous. Reports that students saw these experiences as relevant and beneficial. (CMK)

Argues that microeconomics principles courses are structured around an approach to policy that avoids many controversial but central policy issues including: the interplay of moral issues and efficiency; questions of consumer sovereignty; and questions of the interrelation between measures of efficiency and income distribution. Suggests a dual…

A ninth-grade English teacher at an urban California high school taught writing through focusing on tolerance. Books by young people who grew up with war, coupled with guaranteed anonymity, inspired and liberated her students to write about real, controversial topics in their journals, gaining them national recognition. Revising, peer editing, and…

Describes a class assignment that was used in a social psychology course in which students worked in groups of three and produced a 15-20 minute presentation about a prominent social psychologist. Evaluates the reactions of the students to the assignment. (CMK)

Presents an analysis of undergraduate methods course textbooks (n=26) published in the United States with copyright dates from 1995-1999. Examines aspects of the textbooks, such as demographic qualities, use of pedagogical aids and illustrative material, and topic coverage. Includes the results in detail. (CMK)