School subjects are not the same as the forms of inquiry that produce their underlying knowledge base, and the existence of conceptual structure does not automatically legitimize subjects. Beyond process and content approaches is the central ethos of a subject; for technology education, tools, materials, and ideas are at the core and students are…

Discusses the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in journalism education. Describes such a course, called "Critical Incidents Analysis." Discusses what critical-incident analysis is, the origin of the course, course objectives, its interdisciplinary faculty and approach, class format, and cases covered. Presents results from a…

"Teaching for Social Justice," by Ayers, Hunt, and Quinn, advocates inclusion of social-justice concerns as part of schools' official curriculum. Although the authors do not move some issues far enough, the book can serve as a primer for teachers concerned about social justice and democratic values. (MLH)

Describes the development of an undergraduate training course in gifted education at the University of Brasilia, Brazil. The course objectives were to acquaint students with the needs of gifted children, to help students critically analyze current gifted practices, and to train school psychologists to implement a creative training program.…

A survey of 101 directors of teacher training programs for working with students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) found encouraging practices such as offering E/BD programming at the graduate level; however, there were some areas such as special education law and multicultural issues that received little attention. (Author/CR)

Lists eight principles that underlie the philosophy of flexible learning and discusses their implications for a university. Highlights include flexible access to courses, recognition of prior learning, flexible content, flexible participation, flexible teaching and learning methods, flexible resources, flexible assessment, and ongoing evaluation.…

This article reviews current reforms in general and special education and describes a Gallaudet program that prepares undergraduates who are deaf or hard of hearing to meet the needs of students who are deaf. The program requires a full-time internship with hearing students and a master's degree in deaf education. (Contains references.) (CR)

Instructional syntax analysis is one approach to evaluating how a technology-based training course will interact with the learner. By plotting fluctuations in engagement and feedback levels over time, general level of interactivity in a course can be analyzed. Basic principles of instructional syntax analysis are described, with an example of how…

Discusses the secondary agenda technique where students express their biases on various topics, but their realization is the secondary purpose of the class activity. Illustrates the use of this technique by describing activities where students confront their biases and perceptions about gender and sexual orientation. (CMK)

Describes teaching methods that promote reflexivity, a practice of observing and locating one's self as a knower within certain cultural and sociohistorical contexts, in order to open up the classroom for all students. Provides seven strategies that each incorporate reflexivity within a course, such as modeling and inviting speakers. (CMK)

Reveals that through the use of the movie "Groundhog Day," students in humanities courses can grasp Friedrich Nietzsche's myth of eternal recurrence; the myth addresses the question of what if everything that occurred in one's life occurred again just as it happened before. Discusses the similarities between Nietzsche's myth and the…

Believes that a humanities survey course should engage the "whole student" allowing students to draw from their entire identity that includes personal insights, experiences, and heritage. Argues that the survey course should teach students formal analysis, perceptive writing, and critical thinking skills. Describes a humanities survey that focuses…

Describes the Language Learning Network, a course for distance second-language learning that attempts to bridge the gap between autonomous distance study and traditional face-to-face location-restricted classes. Underlying pedagogical principles, course structure, and the course pilot project are examined. (MSE)

One study surveyed 187 Kentucky teachers (36% agriculture, 32% science, 32% technology education); they rated importance of content organizers, topics, transferable skills, and delivery methods for biotechnology. A second study received responses from 70 of 150 teachers; 45 thought science teachers or an integrated team should teach biotechnology;…

Traces the development of a senior level course for biology majors the integrates curriculum studies with critical analysis of current biology research and communication skills. Objectives for the course include understanding the scientific method and assessing and using information sources. (DDR)